get over

verb

1. to cross or surmount (something)

   the children got over the fence

2. (intr, preposition) to recover from (an illness, shock, etc)

3. (intr, preposition) to overcome or master (a problem)

   you'll soon get over your shyness

4. (intr, preposition) to appreciate fully

   I just can't get over seeing you again

5. (tr, adverb) to communicate effectively

   he had difficulty getting the message over

6. to bring (something necessary but unpleasant) to an end

   let's get this job over with quickly

Idioms and Phrases

Overcome, surmount, as in We have finally gotten over our biases . “Late 1600s”

Recover from, as in I just got over the flu , or I hope the children get over their parents' divorce quickly . [c. 1700] This usage sometimes appears as get over it , as on a bumper sticker following the 1992 presidential election: “Bush Lost, Get Over It.”

Also, get over with . Complete, have done with, especially something unpleasant. For example, When I finally got the proofreading over, I was ready for a day off , or I'm glad to get all that dental work over with . It also is put as get it over with , as in I might as well sign the check and get it over with . The first usage dates from the late 1800s, the second from the early 1800s.

Related Words

• mend 
• overcome 
• survive