used



get used to (someone or something)

To be made familiar with or become habituated to someone or something. I know Gregory can be a bit pretentious at times, but you get used to him after a while. I never could get used to driving on the other side of the road when I lived in England. Is she getting used to her new job?
See also: get, used

(not) half the person/man/woman (one) used to be

Having a reduced, diminished, or weakened physique, disposition, conviction, prowess, or mental acuity, as after some action, event, or trauma. Sometimes used in the negative but to the same effect. Poor Mary, she isn't half the person she used to be since that car accident. Have you seen John lately? He lost so much weight that he's like half the man he used to be!
See also: half, man, person, used, woman

get used

To become acclimated to or comfortable with something. I took me a few months, but I've finally gotten used to my new job. I can't seem to get used to the plays my new team runs.
See also: get, used

be half the (something) (one) used to be

To lose some of one's skill in a particular area. This phrase can also be applied derisively to men who appear to have lost their virility, especially after marriage. After years away from the sport, she's half the swimmer she used to be—I doubt she'll place in the upcoming meet. A: "Can you believe that Joe is out shopping with his wife right now, instead of watching the game with us?" B: "Ever since he got married, he's half the man he used to be."
See also: half, used

accustomed to

To have become familiar or comfortable with something. This phrase is often used to describe aspects of one's daily routine. Now that she is no longer in school, Stella has become accustomed to staying up late and sleeping until noon. I never thought I would become accustomed to working in a warehouse, but now I almost enjoy it.
See also: accustomed

*accustomed to someone or something

 and *accustomed to doing something used to someone or something
; used to or in the habit of doing something. (*Typically: be ~; become ~; grow ~.) The children are accustomed to eating late in the evening.
See also: accustomed

It takes (some) getting used to.

It is very unpleasant at first, but after a time it will not be so bothersome. (Said in recognition of the unpleasantness of something.) I never ate raw oysters before. It takes some getting used to. These hot Mexican dishes seem impossible at first. They take some getting used to, I agree. But it's worth it.
See also: get, take, used

not as young as one used to be

Fig. getting old. Aunt Lila isn't as young as she used to be. She can't take a lot of trips anymore. Don't walk so fast! I'm not as young as I used to be. It takes me awhile to catch up.
See also: not, one, used, young

There, there.

 and There, now.
an expression used to comfort someone. There, there. You'll feel better after you take a nap. There, now. Everything will be all right.

They don't make them like they used to.

Cliché Goods are not as well made now as they were in the past. (Often used as a catchphrase. Them is often 'em.) Look at this flimsy door! They don't make 'em like they used to. Why don't cars last longer? They just don't make 'em like they used to.
See also: like, make, used

used to do something

to have done something [customarily] in the past. We used to go swimming in the lake before it became polluted. I used to eat nuts, but then I became allergic to them.
See also: used

*used to someone or something

Fig. accustomed to someone or something; familiar and comfortable with someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; become ~; get~.) I am used to eating better food than this. I am used to the doctor I have and I don't want to change.
See also: used

used to do something

to have done something in the past A young lady who used to work in my office had seven brothers! We used to visit our parents at Christmas every year.
See also: used

used to something/doing something

familiar with something He's used to beginning without me because I'm almost always late. His clothes and manners show he's used to being a celebrity. It's not easy getting used to cold weather if you've been brought up in a hot climate.
See also: used

be half the [dancer/writer etc.] you used to be

if you are half the dancer, writer etc. you used to be, you are much less good at doing something than you used to be She's half the tennis-player she used to be.
See also: half, used

There, there.

  (old-fashioned)
something that you say to comfort someone, especially a child There, there. You'll feel better in a minute.

accustomed to

Used to something or someone; having the habit of doing something. For example, In Spain we gave up our usual schedule and became accustomed to eating dinner at 10 p.m. Professor Higgins in the musical My Fair Lady (1956) ruefully sang the song "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" after his protégé Eliza walked out on him. [Second half of 1400s]
See also: accustomed

it takes getting used to

One needs to become accustomed to something. For example, We've always had a small car, so driving a big van like this-well, it takes getting used to . This idiom employs used to in the sense of "accustomed to," a usage dating from the first half of the 1500s.
See also: get, take, used

used to

1. Accustomed or habituated to. This expression is often put as be or get used to , as in I'm not used to driving a manual-shift car, or She can't get used to calling him Dad. [Early 1500s]
2. Formerly. This sense is used with a following verb to indicate a past state, as in I used to ride my bicycle to the post office, or This used to be the best restaurant in town. [Late 1800s]
See also: used

better get used to it

and BGUTI
phr. & comp. abb. It may be bad, but you should get used to it. Sorry you don’t like it. BGUTI. A: I am so not used to it! B: Better get used to it.
See also: better, get, used

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Jaka-Slovene
Flavius-Ancient Roman
KreŠImir-Croatian
JÜRgenYUYR-genLow German
Rubem-Portuguese (Brazilian)
IzaÄK-Dutch