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Phrase(s): get on
1. to get along; to thrive. • Well, how are you two getting on? • We are getting on okay. 2. Go to get on something and get on (with someone)., Phrase(s): 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?, Phrase(s): 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?, Phrase(s): 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., Phrase(s): 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!, Phrase(s): 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., Phrase(s): get on (in years)
to grow older; to be aged. • Aunt Mattie is getting on in years. • They were both getting on in years., Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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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.
American Heritage Idioms