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Fixed expressions

Idioms

English fixed expressions — phrases whose meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. Each entry shows the meaning, an example sentence, and its register.

Idioms containing get, including its inflections. Clear word filter

get a move on

CEFR B1

to hurry up

Informal

get on someone's nerves

CEFR B1

to repeatedly irritate or annoy someone

Neutral

get out of hand

CEFR B1

To become impossible to control.

Neutral

get something off your chest

CEFR B1

To finally say something that has been worrying you, so you feel relieved.

Informal

get the ball rolling

CEFR B1

To start an activity or process.

Informal

get the picture

CEFR B1

to understand a situation, especially after an explanation

Informal

get up to speed

CEFR B1

to become informed or current on a topic, project, or situation

Neutral

get a grip

CEFR B2

regain composure and think calmly after becoming upset

Informal

get a handle on

CEFR B2

to gain understanding or control of a situation

Informal

get carried away

CEFR B2

to become so excited or involved that you lose control

Informal

get caught with your pants down

CEFR B2

be embarrassed or disadvantaged because you are unprepared

Informal

get cold feet

CEFR B2

To suddenly become too nervous to do something you had planned.

Informal

get cracking

CEFR B2

to start doing something quickly and energetically

Informal

get off the ground

CEFR B2

to begin operating successfully after the planning stage

Neutral

get on like a house on fire

CEFR B2

To get along extremely well and quickly become close.

Informal

get one's act together

CEFR B2

to become organized and start performing effectively

Informal

get one's head (a)round

CEFR B2

to manage to understand something difficult or surprising

Informal

get one's message across

CEFR B2

to make people understand what you mean or want to say

Neutral

get one's thoughts together

CEFR B2

to calm down and organize your thinking before acting or speaking

Informal

get someone on board

CEFR B2

to persuade someone to join or support a plan or project

Informal

get something straight

CEFR B2

to make sure something is clearly understood or correct

Informal

get the better of

CEFR B2

to defeat someone or gain control over a person or feeling

Neutral

get the nod

CEFR B2

to receive a favorable selection or approval decision

Neutral

get the show on the road

CEFR B2

to begin a project or activity that has been delayed

Informal

get to grips with

CEFR B2

to begin to understand and deal with a difficult problem or task

Neutral

get under someone's skin

CEFR B2

To irritate or annoy someone deeply.

Informal

get wind of

CEFR B2

learn about something private or secret, usually through an indirect channel

Neutral

beat/get the hell out of something

CEFR C1

to leave a place very quickly (get); or to defeat or hit something severely (beat)

Informal

get down to the nitty gritty

CEFR C1

to deal with the most important or practical details of something

Informal

get your ducks in a row

CEFR C1

to organize things carefully before acting

Informal

get your panties in a bunch

CEFR C1

become unnecessarily upset or annoyed

Informal

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