get at

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See synonyms for get at on Thesaurus.com

verb (intr, preposition)

to gain access tothe dog could not get at the meat on the high shelf

to mean or intendwhat are you getting at when you look at me like that?

to irritate or annoy persistently; criticizeshe is always getting at him

to influence or seek to influence, esp illegally by bribery, intimidation, etcsomeone had got at the witness before the trial

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby get at

get a move on, get an in with, get another guess, get a rise out of, get around, get at, get-at-able, get a thing about, getaway, get away with, get a word in edgewise

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use get at in a sentence

In this cockamamie get-rich scheme, would they all issue an apology if he cut a check?
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The kids are out of school, Mom is out of get-up-and-go, Dad is out of work.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I spoke first with Scott Ellman, a student at Wesleyan University and now the Huffington Post editor-at-large for his campus.
Fraternities in a Post-UVA World|Samantha Allen|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The at-home genetics testing company 23andme, established in 2006, helps people learn more about their “DNA relatives.”
Nothing Says I Love You Like Data|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This at-home blood test kit gives a full reading of antioxidant, fatty acid, or vitamin panels.
Nothing Says I Love You Like Data|The Daily Beast|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tressan was monstrous ill-at-ease, and his face lost a good deal of its habitual plethora of colour.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
A fellow rudely clad—a hybrid between man-at-arms and lackey—lounged on a musket to confront them in the gateway.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
The man called Shiv was driving Delancy's get-away car at a conservative pace so as not to excite suspicion.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
Ten minutes later, Delancy drove the get-away car out of the service station.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
It was in this room that Delancy's get-away car had changed paint jobs, and in about ten minutes.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various

Other Idioms and Phrases with get at

get at

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]

get at

Words nearby get at

Words related to get at

How to use get at in a sentence

Other Idioms and Phrases with get at