get on

verb

got on; got on or gotten on; getting on; gets on

intransitive verb

1

: get along

was getting on in years

got on well with the boss

get on with the game

2

: to gain knowledge or understanding

got on to the racket

transitive verb

1

: to produce an unfortunate effect on : upset

the noise got on my nerves

2

: to criticize insistently

the fans got on him for losing the game

Synonyms of get on

• cope
• do
• get by
• get along
• make do
• make ends meet

Examples of get on in a Sentence

despite his new job's low pay, he was still getting on

find out how the marketing department is getting on with the new ad campaign

Recent Examples on the Web

Totally ignoring the humanity of both worker and customer is rude, and yet both parties are interested in getting on with whatever the transaction is. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Even if Dallas goes with DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters as its starting inside linebackers to open the season, Barham will get on the field. — Jon MacHota, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

With her new job starting Monday, Argyriou and her family felt compelled to get on the road. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

That marks 11 days without electricity, trying to keep herself and her eight children safe and not getting on each other’s nerves. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for get on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

get on

verb

1

: get along sense 3

they got on well

2

: to start dealing with

I'll get on it right away

3

: to criticize (someone) repeatedly

4

: to grow old