get on

verb

1. Also (when preposition): get onto. to board or cause or help to board (a bus, train, etc)

2. (tr) to dress in (clothes as specified)

3. (intr) to grow late or (of time) to elapse

   it's getting on and I must go

4. (intr) (of a person) to grow old

5. to approach (a time, age, amount, etc)

   she is getting on for seventy

6. (intr) to make progress, manage, or fare

   how did you get on in your exam?

7. to establish a friendly relationship

   he gets on well with other people

8. to continue to do

   get on with your homework!

interjection

1. I don't believe you!

Idioms and Phrases

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]

See get along , def. 1.

See get along , def. 2.

See get along , def. 4. Also see along in years .

, 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]

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]

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]

See turn on , def. 3. Also see the subsequent entries beginning with get on .

Related Words

• do 
• get along