get it
Idioms-
See catch it .
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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 .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Who cares if it’s slow as long as they get it right?
From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026
In part, it comes down to who has to put up capital, how fast they get it back, and whether they can hand the higher cost to someone else.
From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026
On the other hand, get it right and the World Cup could forge closer ties between the trio.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
“We know people want the API and we’re excited to get it into their hands,” the spokesman said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
It finally clawed its way up a tree in front of the library, and the librarian, Miss Graebner, called the fire department to come and get it down.
From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
