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.
“Both sides must take their time and get it right,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
"When we don't fully understand that, it becomes much more difficult to get it under control."
From BBC • May 24, 2026
But Middleton has bucked that trend, which is a sign that his message is resonating, no matter who is paying to get it out there.
From Salon • May 23, 2026
There is, at least, one other high-level executive who does seem to get it, and to whom college grads have responded very positively.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
“One outfit that morphs at your command. Very sustainable if you could get it to work.”
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
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.
