get at

verb

1. to gain access to

   the dog could not get at the meat on the high shelf

2. to mean or intend

   what are you getting at when you look at me like that?

3. to irritate or annoy persistently; criticize

   she is always getting at him

4. to influence or seek to influence, esp illegally by bribery, intimidation, etc

   someone had got at the witness before the trial

Idioms and Phrases

Touch, reach successfully, as in Mom hid the peanut butter so we couldn't get at it . [Late 1700s]

Try to make understandable; hint at or suggest. For example, I think I see what you're getting at . [Late 1800s]

Discover, learn, ascertain, as in We must get at the facts of the case . [Late 1700s]

Bribe or influence by improper or illegal means, as in He got at the judge, and the charges were dismissed . [ Colloquial ; mid-1800s]

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]

Example Sentences

We need to get at them more as we did in the first half and dominated much more.

From BBC

That gap of 1.3 million gets at a problem totally distinct from an overall shortage of homes.

From Los Angeles Times

Even when they are being subjected to the kind of criticism they are getting at the moment, West Ham's ownership tend not to go in for knee-jerk reactions when it comes to dealing with managers.

From BBC

Most observers would recognise that might take time to embed, but time is one thing you don't get at Rangers.

From BBC

"But of course, everything is about scoring goals and we conceded two. We created enough chances to get at least one point - but that is how it is."

From BBC

Related Words

• ascertain 
• get hold of