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

“You know,” Ma begins, “it’s this same carelessness that gets you zeros on your assignments. Even if you turn them in late, you can still get at least half credit.”

Read more on Literature

“Those are both issues that we can get at in our litigation, and where court supervision can be valuable.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

So right now, while she’s still alive, he would either get his own retirement benefit, which includes the delayed credits, or half of her primary insurance amount, which is what she gets at FRA.

Read more on MarketWatch

As she awaits sentencing, investors have told the BBC World Service they hope to get at least some of their cash back from the UK authorities.

Read more on BBC

"When you crouch like this, bears often try to knock you down from the side. They flip you over to get at your face, so to prevent being turned over, spread your knees a little."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• ascertain 
• get hold of