get on

British  

verb

1. Also (when preposition): get onto.  to board or cause or help to board (a bus, train, etc)

2. (tr) to dress in (clothes as specified)

3. (intr) to grow late or (of time) to elapse

   it's getting on and I must go

4. (intr) (of a person) to grow old

5. to approach (a time, age, amount, etc)

   she is getting on for seventy

6. (intr) to make progress, manage, or fare

   how did you get on in your exam?

7. to establish a friendly relationship

   he gets on well with other people

8. to continue to do

   get on with your homework!

---

interjection

1. I don't believe you!

get on Idioms  

1. Also, get upon . Climb on, mount. For example, They say one should get back on a horse as soon as one's fallen off . [Early 1600s]

2. See get along , def. 1.

3. See get along , def. 2.

4. See get along , def. 4. Also see along in years .

5. , etc. Prosper or succeed, as in Her inheritance has helped her get on in society , or Dad asked if Bill was getting on in the company . [Early 1800s]

6. get on with it . Move ahead, pursue one's work. For example, We've spent enough time talking about it; now let's get on with it . [Early 1800s]

7. get on for . Advance toward an age, amount, time, and so on. For example, It's getting on for noon, so we'd better eat lunch . This usage is often put in the participial form, getting on for . [Mid-1800]

8. See turn on , def. 3. Also see the subsequent entries beginning with get on .

---

Example Sentences

“I don’t know what happened. Just thankful to get on base and thankful to come around and score.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Now carriers are turning to satellites to offer zippier speeds that compare to what customers can get on the ground.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Though Mahan did not specify how he would link government outcomes to pay raises, state lawmakers have largely panned his campaign and are unlikely to get on board.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

"We're hopeful to see if they're able to help out and see if we can get on our plane to go home today," added Suez Khan, a 28-year-old artist.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

Maxine felt pretty safe on her own porch, so she said, “Then why don’t you just get on the bus and go!”

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson

Related Words

• do
• get along