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get on

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get on (in years)

to grow older; to be aged. Aunt Mat-tie is getting on in years. They were both getting on in years.

See also: get, on

get on someone

Fig. to pester someone (about something); to pressure someone. John is supposed to empty the trash every day. He didn't do it, so I will have to get on him. It's time to get on Bill about his homework. He's falling behind.

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get on

(something) to enter a conveyance; to get aboard something; to climb onto something. They just announced that it's time to get on the airplane. The bus stopped, and I got on. The child was afraid to get on the train. Where did you get on?

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get on (with someone)

 and get along (with someone)

to be friends with someone; to have a good relationship with someone. (The friendship is always assumed to be good unless it is stated to be otherwise.) How do you get on with John? I get along with John just fine. We get along.

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get on (without someone or something)

to survive and carry on without someone or something. I think we can get on without bread for a day or two. Can you get on without your secretary for a while?

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get on(to) someone (about something)

Fig. to remind someone about something. I'll have to get onto Sarah about the deadline. I'll get on Gerald right away.

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get someone on(to) someone or something

to assign someone to attend to someone or something. Get someone onto the injured man in the hall right now. Get someone on the telephone switchboard at once!

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get on

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. get on in the world or company , 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.

See also: get, on

get on

v.

1. To place oneself on something that supports, holds, or carries: I got on the train to California. The bus was packed, but I was still able to get on.

2. To place something on some object that supports, holds, or carries: Once I got the kids on the bus, I was alone for the day.

3. To place something, especially clothing, on oneself: I got my coat and hat on and left the dull party. The kids got on their boots and played in the snow.

4. To be or continue to be on harmonious terms with someone; get along: I always got on well with my roommate. Our children get on very well together.

5. To manage or fare reasonably well: How are you getting on?

6. To make progress with something; continue something: Stop complaining about the work and get on with it. I'll get right on your request!

7. To approach old age: My grandparents are getting on in years, so they bought a condominium in Arizona.

8. get on to To acquire understanding or knowledge of something; catch on to something: We eventually got on to the way our landlord was manipulating us.

See also: get, on