get at
Britishverb
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to gain access to
the dog could not get at the meat on the high shelf
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to mean or intend
what are you getting at when you look at me like that?
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to irritate or annoy persistently; criticize
she is always getting at him
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to influence or seek to influence, esp illegally by bribery, intimidation, etc
someone had got at the witness before the trial
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Touch, reach successfully, as in Mom hid the peanut butter so we couldn't get at it . [Late 1700s]
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Try to make understandable; hint at or suggest. For example, I think I see what you're getting at . [Late 1800s]
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Discover, learn, ascertain, as in We must get at the facts of the case . [Late 1700s]
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Bribe or influence by improper or illegal means, as in He got at the judge, and the charges were dismissed . [ Colloquial ; mid-1800s]
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Today’s executive orders get at the root of the housing affordability problem by eliminating obstacles to build more homes and providing better access to financing,” Bill Owens, the trade group’s chairman, said in a statement.
From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026
If your remaining work overflows into the weekend, try to keep it to a single day, so that you get at least one completely work-free day to recharge before returning to your big project.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
They usually do pretty well at Amex Stadium too, and I think they will get at least a point here for what would be the sixth season running.
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
"The more the robot watches humans conversing, the better it will get at imitating the nuanced facial gestures we can emotionally connect with."
From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026
We have to get at least a foot in Milwaukee, but when things do shut down, it’s like a block party.
From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan
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.
