American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
.pdfspeed," a usage dating from the early 1800s, but the idiom dates only from the first half of the 1900s. The third term dates from the late 1800s and also has other meanings; see GET GOING.
Get rolling alludes to setting wheels in motion and dates from the first half of the 1900s. Also see GET BUSY; GET ON THE STICK.
get an in with Also, have an in with. Acquire (or have) influence with someone in authority. For example, The only way they'll allow us to film the play is if we get an in with the director, or We should have no problem, since Dad has an in with the inspector. This idiom employs the noun in the sense of "an introduction to someone of power, fame, or authority," a usage dating from the 1920s.
get another guess
hand. see HAVE ANOTHER GUESS.
get a rise out of
Elicit an angry or irritated reaction, as in His teasing always got a rise out of her. This expression alludes to the angler's dropping a fly in a likely spot in the hope that a fish will rise to this bait.
get around
1. Also, get round. Circumvent or evade, as in He managed to get around the rules for visiting hours. [Late 1800s] 2. Also, get round. Convince or win over by flattery or cajoling, as in Karen knew just how to get around her father, or I'll try to get round him but I'm not sure it'll work.
[Mid-1800s] 3. Travel from place to place; also, be active socially. For example, It's hard to get around without a car, or Mary is never without a date?
she really gets around. [First half of 1900s] Also see GET ABOUT, def. 1.
4. Become known, circulate, as in Reports of her resignation got around quickly. [c. 1950] Also see
GET ABOUT, def. 2. 5. get around to or get round to. Find the time or occasion for, as in Dean never gets around to cleaning up the garage. [Late 1800s]
get at
1.Touch, reach successfully, as in Mom hid the peanut butter so we couldn't get at it. [Late 1700s]
2.Try to make understandable; hint at or suggest. For example, I think I see what you're getting at. [Late 1800s] 3. Discover, learn, ascertain, as in We must get at the facts of the case. [Late 1700s] 4. Bribe or influence by improper or illegal means, as in He got at the judge, and the charges were dismissed. [Colloquial; mid-1800s] 5. Start on, begin work on, attend to, as in "Get at your canvassing early, and drive it with all your might" (Mark Twain, letter to his publishers, 1884). [Colloquial; late 1800s]
get a thing about
hand. see HAVE A THING ABOUT.
get away
1. Break free, escape, as in The suspect ran down the street and got away, or I wanted to come but couldn't get away from the office. [c. 1300] A variant is get away from it all, meaning "to depart and leave one's surroundings or problems or work behind." For example, Joe is taking a few days off?
he needs to get away from it all. 2. Start out or leave quickly, as in The greyhounds got away from the starting gate, or I thought I had the answer but it got away from me. 3. Go, move off. For example, Get away from my desk! or Get away?
I don't want you near that hot stove. [Late 1700s] Also see GET AWAY WITH.
get away with
1.Escape the consequences or blame for, as in Bill often cheats on exams but usually gets away with it. [Late 1800s]
2.get away with murder. Escape the consequences of killing someone; also, do anything one wishes. For example, If the jury doesn't convict him, he'll have gotten away with murder, or He talks all day on the phone?
the supervisor is letting him get away with murder. [First half of 1900s]
get a word in edgewise Also, get a word in edgeways. Insert oneself into a conversation or express one's opinion despite competition from other speakers. For example, So many people had questions for the lecturer that it was hard to get a word in edgewise, or Nancy loves to talk, and I couldn't get a word in edgeways. This idiom, often put in the negative, transfers an object with its edge foremost to inserting conversation. [Late 1700s]
get back
1. Also get back to. Return to a person, place, or condition. For example, What time will you get back? or I hope he'll get back to the subject of this report. [c. 1600] 2. Recover something, as in When will I get this book back? [c. 1800]
get back at Take revenge on, as in Watch out for Peter; he's sure to get back at you. Similarly, get one's own back means simply "get revenge," as in She finally saw a chance to get her own back. The first expression dates from the late 1800s, the second from the early 1900s.
get back to
hand. see GET BACK, def. 1.
get behind
FALL BEHIND. 2. Support someone or something; also, help to promote someone or something. For example, We must find as many workers as we can to get behind the union. 3. Enjoy, appreciate, as in Norma just can't get behind ballet. [Slang; c. 1970]
get better
Improve; recover one's health. For example, I just started studying Japanese, and I hope to get better soon, or The doctor said I could expect to get better within a couple of days. Also see GET
WELL.
get busy
Start working, become active, as in Stop dawdling; get busy, or We'd better get busy on this paper.
[c. 1900] Also see GET A MOVE ON; GET GOING; GET ON THE STICK.
get by
1. Move past, as in There isn't room for this car to get by. 2. Manage to succeed or get along; also, barely succeed. For example, He's getting by even though he only works half-time, or If he applied himself, Paul could be getting A's, but instead he's just getting by. [Early 1900s] 3. Be unnoticed; also, get approval or pass inspection. For example, I wonder if these errors will get by the proofreader, or He hoped the paint job would get by. [Early 1900s]
get cold feet
hand. see COLD FEET.
get cracking
hand. see under GET A MOVE ON.
get credit for
Receive acknowledgment or praise for some accomplishment, as in Bill got all the credit for attracting a big audience. Similarly, give credit for means "acknowledge" or "praise," as in We should give the pianist credit for her work in the program. [Mid-1700s]
get down
1. Descend; bring down; also, swallow. For example, He's getting down from the ladder, or Can you get the cat down from the tree? or I can't seem to get this pill down. [Late 1500s] 2. get down to. Give one's attention to, as in Let's get down to work, or It's time we got down to business. [Late 1800s] For the most important variants, see under GET DOWN TO BRASS
TACKS. 3. get down on. See DOWN ON. 4. get someone down. Discourage or depress someone. For example, Don't let Mary's troubles get you down, or Day after day of rain really gets me down. [c. 1930] 5. Describe in writing, as in Can you get down all he's saying? 6. Lose one's inhibitions, enjoy
oneself fully. For example, At our reunion we got down with all our old friends. [Slang]
get down to brass tacks Also, get down to bedrock or the nitty gritty or cases. Deal with the essentials; come to the point. For example, Stop delaying and get down to brass tacks, or We really need to get down to bedrock, or He has a way of getting down to the nitty gritty, or Let's get down to cases. The origin of the first phrase, dating from the late 1800s, is disputed. Some believe it alludes to the brass tacks used under fine upholstery, others that it is Cockney rhyming slang for
"hard facts," and still others that it alludes to tacks hammered into a sales counter to indicate precise measuring points. The noun bedrock has signified the hard rock underlying alluvial mineral deposits since about 1850 and has been used figuratively to denote "bottom" since the 1860s. The noun nitty-gritty dates from the mid-1900s and alludes to the detailed ("nitty") and possibly unpleasant (''gritty") issue in question. The noun cases apparently alludes to the game of faro, in which the "case card" is the last of a rank of cards remaining in play; this usage dates from about 1900. Also see TO THE POINT.
get going
GET A MOVE ON. 2. get something going. Start something, get something into full swing. For example, Once we get production going we'll have no more problems. This usage also appears in when the going gets tough, the tough get going, meaning that difficulties spur on capable individuals; the first tough here means "difficult," whereas the second means "strong-minded, resolute." For example, That problem won't stop Tom; when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Also see SWING INTO ACTION. 3. Make someone talkative or active, as in Once he got her going on her grandchildren, there was no stopping her. [Colloquial; late 1800s]
get goose pimples
hand. see GOOSE PIMPLES.
get gray hair from
Be very worried or upset by. For example, I know I'm going to get gray hair from his driving.
Similarly, give gray hair to means "to worry someone," as in The boy's love of rock climbing gave his parents gray hair. This idiom alludes to the notion that extreme anxiety or grief can cause one's hair to turn gray. [Early 1600s]
get hold of
Grasp, obtain; also, get in touch with. For example, If you can just get hold of one end, I'll get the other, or Jane had no luck getting hold of the book she needed, or I've phoned a dozen times but I can't seem to get hold of him. [c. 1300] Also see LAY HOLD OF.
get in
1. Enter a place, as in We managed to get in just before the doors closed. [First half of 1500s] 2.
Arrive, as in We got in late last night. [Early 1600s] 3. Be elected to office or become accepted, as in a club. For example, Marge asked the club if she could get in. The variant get into takes an object, as in Things changed after he got into office. [Late 1500s] 4. Succeed in including, delivering, or finishing something, as in Can you get in that last paragraph? or I hope you'll get it in
on time. Also see GET IN WITH.
get in a snit
hand. see IN A SNIT.
get in a stew
hand. see IN A STEW.
get in bad with Also, get in good with. 
hand. See IN BAD WITH; IN GOOD
WITH.
get in on
hand. see IN ON. Also see GET INTO THE ACT; (GET IN ON THE) GROUND FLOOR.
get in one's hair
hand. see IN ONE'S HAIR.
get in someone's face
hand. see IN SOMEONE'S FACE.
get in the way
hand. see IN THE WAY.
get into
1. Become involved in, as in He got into trouble by stealing cars, or I don't want to
get into the long history of this problem. [Early 1700s] 2. Put on clothes, as in Wait till I get into my suit. [Late 1600s] 3. Take possession of one, cause to act differently or inappropriately, as in
You're leaving it to the animal shelter? What has got into you? or I don't know what gets into you
children. [Late 1800s] 4. See BE INTO. Also see subsequent entries beginning with GET INTO.
get into bed with
hand. see GO TO BED WITH.
get into hot water
hand. see HOT WATER.
get into one's head Also, get or take it into one's head. Form an impression, idea, or plan. For example, What strange idea has she got into her head? or He took it into his head that you
want to quit. [Late 1600s] Also see GET THROUGH ONE'S HEAD.
get into the act Also, get in the act. Become involved in some activity or venture, as in
Everybody wants to get into the act on this offer, or I'm sure his agent plans to get in the act and start negotiations. This expression alludes to inserting oneself into a performance. [Mid-1900s]
get into the swing of things
Become active, make progress. For example, She only started work last week, but she quickly got into the swing of things. [Late 1800s]
get into trouble
hand. see IN TROUBLE WITH.
get in touch
hand. see IN TOUCH.
get involved
Become associated, especially in an emotional or sexual way. For example, He joined the company last year but never really got involved in the work, or It's been two years since Tom got involved with Jean.
get in with
Become involved or associated with, as in She got in with the right crowd, or These loans got me in
[Late 1600s]
CATCH IT. 2. Understand something, as in He claims his plan is reasonable, but I'm not sure I get it. This synonym for CATCH ON was popularized during the 1980s through a televised political debate in which presidential nominee Ronald Reagan told his opponent, You just don't get it, do you? This particular phrase has since been repeated in numerous contexts where one is expressing exasperation at someone's failure to understand something. The phrase is also put in the past tense, got it, meaning "understood." For example, We're leaving tomorrow.?
OK, got it. [Colloquial; late 1800s] Also see GET THE MESSAGE.
get it on
1. Become filled with energy or excitement; enthusiastically begin. For example, If you're ready to start rehearsing, let's get it on. [Slang; c. 1950] 2. Engage in sexual intercourse, as in They were about to get it on when the doorbell rang. [Slang; 1970s]
get lost
Go away, as in Get lost, we don't want you around. This rather rude slangy imperative dates from the 1940s.
get mileage out of
Make use of, obtain service from, as in The chorus got a lot of mileage out of that publicity, or You won't get much mileage out of that old TV set. This expression alludes to the number of miles of travel yielded by a given amount of fuel, a tire, or other auto equipment. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]
get nowhere Also, not get anywhere. Make no progress, as in I've tried to put this together, but I'm getting nowhere with it. This expression is sometimes intensified as get nowhere fast, as in I tried phoning but got nowhere fast. [Early 1900s] Also see
THERE.
get off
1. Dismount, leave a vehicle, as in She got off the horse right away, or Let's get off
the train at the next stop. [Late 1600s] 2. Start, as on a trip; leave. For example, We got off at the crack of dawn. [Mid-1700s] 3. Fire a round of ammunition; also, send away. For example, He got off two shots, but the deer fled, or I got off that letter just in time. 4. Escape from punishment; also, obtain a lesser penalty or release for someone. For example, He apologized so profusely that he was sure to get off, or The attorney got her client off with a slap on the wrist. This sense is sometimes amplified to get off easy or get off lightly. Where there is no punishment at all, the expression is sometimes put as get off scot-free, originally meaning "be free from paying a fine or tax (scot)," dating from the 1500s. [Mid1600s] 5. Remove, take off, as in I can't seem to get this paint off the car. [Second half of 1600s] 6. Succeed in uttering, especially a joke. For example,
Carl always manages to get off a good one before he gets serious. [Mid-1800s] 7. Have the effrontery to do or say something. For example, Where does he get off telling me what to do? [Colloquial; early 1900s] 8. Experience orgasm, as in She never did get off. [Slang; first half of 1900s] 9. Also, get off of one. Stop bothering or criticizing one, as in Get off me right now! or If you don't get off of me I'm walking out. [Slang; c. 1940] Also see GET OFF ON; OFF ONE'S
BACK.
get off on
1. Feel the effects of or take a mind-altering drug. For example, He was getting off on crack. [Slang; 1930s] 2. Enjoy, derive intense pleasure from, as in I really get off on good jazz. [Slang; c. 1970]
get off one's chest
hand. see OFF ONE'S CHEST.
get off one's tail Also, get off one's butt. Stop loafing and start doing something. For example,
Get off your tail and help your mother, or I should get off my butt, but I'm exhausted. Neither slangy expression, with its allusion to the buttocks, is considered polite.
get off on the wrong foot
hand. see under ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
get off scot-free
hand. see GET OFF, def. 4.
get off someone's back
hand. see OFF SOMEONE'S BACK.
get off the dime
Take action, especially following a time of indecision or delay. For example, It's time this administration got off the dime and came up with a viable budget. This expression originated in the 1920s in dance-halls as an imperative for dancers to get moving. By 1926 it had been extended to other activities.
get off the ground
Make a start, get underway, as in Because of legal difficulties, the construction project never got off the ground. This expression, alluding to flight, dates from the mid-1900s. The similar-sounding get off to a flying start, meaning "make a successful start," alludes not to flight but to a quick start in a race, a usage from the late 1800s. For example, He's off to a flying start with his dissertation.
get off the hook
hand. see OFF THE HOOK.
get on
1.Also, get upon. Climb on, mount. For example, They say one should get back on a horse as
soon as one's fallen off. [Early 1600s] 2. See GET ALONG, def. 1. 3. See GET ALONG, def.
2.4. See GET ALONG, def. 4. Also see ALONG IN YEARS. 5. get on in the world
or company, etc. Prosper or succeed, as in Her inheritance has helped her get on in society, or Dad asked if Bill was getting on in the company. [Early 1800s] 6. get on with it. Move ahead, pursue one's work. For example, We've spent enough time talking about it; now let's get on with it. [Early 1800s] 7. get on for.
Advance toward an age, amount, time, and so on. For example, It's getting on for noon, so we'd better eat lunch. This usage is often put in the participial form, getting on for. [Mid-1800] 8. See TURN ON, def. 3. Also see the subsequent entries beginning with GET ON.
get one down
hand. see GET DOWN, def. 4.
get one's
hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with GET ONE'S, also see GET SOMEONE'S.
get one's
1. Get one's due punishment or reward, as in If they put off their schoolwork to go the ball game, sooner or later they'll get theirs, or The union members were prepared to go on strike; they were determined to get theirs. The punishment version is earlier, dating from about 1900. 2. Be killed, as in "He'd got his. I knew it by the way his head rolled in my hands" (Rudyard Kipling, Diversity of Creatures, 1913). This usage originated in the military. [c. 1900]
get one's act together Also, get one's shit or it all together. Start to behave more appropriately or effectively; get organized. For example, Once Joe gets his act together he'll get a raise, or You'd better get it all together before the boss comes back. The variant using shit is considered vulgar. [Slang; second half of 1900s] Also see GET ONE'S DUCKS IN A ROW.
get one's bearings Also, find one's bearings. Figure out one's position or situation relative to one's surroundings. For example, She's still new to the company and needs time to find her bearings, or I'll be along soon; just wait till I get my bearings. Naturally, one can also lose one's bearings, as in After we missed the turnpike exit, we completely lost our bearings. These phrases use bearings in the sense of "relative position," a usage dating from the 1600s.
get one's comeuppance
Receive the treatment one deserves, especially punishment or retribution. For example, She behaved badly, but I'm sure she'll get her comeuppance soon. The exact relationship of comeuppance to the verb come up in its common senses??
"rise" and "present itself"is no longer clear. [Mid-1800s]
get one's ducks in a row Also, have one's ducks in a row. Complete one's preparations, become efficient and well organized, as in I'm trying to get my ducks in a row before I go to
Europe. This synonym for GET ONE'S ACT TOGETHER probably alludes to lining up target ducks in a shooting gallery. [Slang; 1970s]
get one's feet on the ground Also, have or keep one's feet on the ground. 
hand. See
BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND.
get one's feet wet
Embark on a new venture, start into new territory. For example, I've only had a few cello lessons?
I've barely gotten my feet wet. This expression alludes to the timid swimmer slowly getting into the water. [Late 1500s]
get one's fill Also, have one's fill. Be satisfied; have enough (or more than enough) of something. For example, I love opera?
I can never get my fill of it, or He's had his fill of dirty jobs. This expression alludes to having enough (or too much) to eat. [Mid-1500s] Also see
get one's hands dirty
hand. see DIRTY ONE'S HANDS.
get one's hands on
see LAY HANDS ON.
get one's head examined Also, have one's head examined. One is crazy or absolutely wrong. For example, You like this food? Go get your head examined, or If you believe that story, you should have your head examined. This hyperbolic and usually jocular expression of disagreement may, thought Eric Partridge, allude to the now discredited field of phrenology, which holds that the configurations of the skull reveal mental and emotional characteristics. [Early 1900s]
get one's money's worth
Receive good value, as in They performed four extra songs, so we really got our money's worth, or We got our money's worth at the beach?
there wasn't a cloud in the sky. This expression often but not always refers to a monetary expenditure.
get one's own back
hand. see GET BACK AT.
get one's teeth into
hand. see SINK ONE'S TEETH INTO.
get one's walking papers
hand. see WALKING PAPERS.
get one's way Also, get or have one's own way. Be allowed to or make others do as one wishes. For example, Twoyear-olds often scream until they get their own way, or All right, I give in?
have it your own way. [Late 1500s]
get one's wires crossed Also, have one's wires crossed. Become or be confused or mistaken about something, as in If you think there's a meeting today, you really have your wires crossed; it's not till next month. This expression transfers a wrongly wired telephone or telegraph connection to human misunderstanding. [Colloquial; early 1900s]
get on someone's good side
Win someone's approval or support, as in Kate offered to walk the dog in order to get on her aunt's good side. [c. 1930] Also see IN GOOD WITH.
get on someone's nerves
Irritate someone, as in His fidgeting gets on the teacher's nerves, or, as T.S. Eliot put it in The Elder Statesman (1959): "How it used to get on my nerves, when I saw you always sitting there with your nose in a book." [c. 1900]