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

The public ferry contains a ramp, but wheelchair users arriving by the small guest-only boats will need assistance getting on and off. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026

Facing an expansion side like Boston is a great chance for players to make that leap and get on the scoresheet. —Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2026

This is as good as any New York team has looked in a long time, maybe since the Giants got on that roll on their way to beating the 18-0 Patriots in Glendale, Ariz. —Mike Lupica, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2026

Colorado got on the board via a power play goal later in the second, garnering some controversy. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 10 May 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