get something into shape—(also: knock something into shape) quickly make smth. more perfect or better organized: We need a new manager to get the business into shape. give shape to something—arrange smth. in an orderly fashion; express smth. clearly: I’m having trouble giving shape to my ideas in this essay.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Get someone off and Get someone off the hook
get someone off— 1. rescue a person from a crashed vehicle, a sinking ship, etc.: The last three sailors were got off just before the ship sank. 2. get a person cleared of a criminal charge: Ted’s lawyer got him off, although we all knew he was guilty. get someone off the hook —(coll.) free […]
Difference between Get someone into trouble and Put someone to trouble
get someone into trouble— 1. involve a person in a situation causing difficulties, danger, etc.: Don’t mention my name or you’ll get me into trouble. 2. (euph.) make an unmarried woman pregnant: Kali doesn’t know the name of the man who got her into trouble. But in trouble she is—there’s no doubting that. put someone […]
Difference between Get someone in wrong and Get someone wrong
get someone in wrong—cause a person to fall into disfavor with smb.: You’ll get him in wrong with his boss if you keep calling him at the office. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase put someone in the wrong—show a person to be wrong: People want to think that they’re […]
Difference between Get someone down and Take someone down
get someone down— 1. (also: bring someone to the ground) cause a person to come down or fall: You get the biggest man down, and I’ll fight the other two. 2. make a person feel depressed: I spend most of my working time indoors, but even so this wet weather is getting me down. take […]
Difference between Get sick and Go sick
get sick— 1. be taken ill: Let the woman of a house get sick, and it just goes to pieces. 2. feel an inclination to vomit: The bay was rough; thirty minutes out and the boys began to get sick. go sick—report oneself as ill to an employer, etc.: Filthy climate. But she just carries […]
Difference between Get round something and Get round to something
get round something—(also: get around something ) circumvent or evade rules, regulations, etc. (without committing a legal offence): A clever lawyer might find ways of getting round that clause. get round to something —(also: get around to something ) find time for smth.; deal with smth. (when more important matters have been dealt with): I’m […]
Difference between Get religion and Lose one’s religion
get religion— 1. acquire deep religious beliefs: She left him when she got religion and quit the porn business. 2. resolve to mend one’s ways (usually after a powerful experience): When I had an automobile accident, I really got religion. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase enter into religion—(dated) adopt […]
Difference between Get over something and Get something over
get over something— 1. recover from an illness, shock, etc.: George did not get over his homesickness for some time. 2. overcome a difficulty, etc.; rise above smth.: The music industry can’t get over the fact that music and video will be free. get something over— 1. cause smth. to become understood or accepted: We […]
Difference between Get out of town and Go to the country
get out of town—(coll.) 1. get out of a place: If father hears you talking like that, you’d better pack your bags and get out of town. 2. (exclam.) used as an emphatic expression of disbelief: You made a ton of money on that stock? Get out of town! go to the country —(of election […]
Difference between Get out of the way of doing something and Go out of the way to do something
get out of the way of doing something—forget how to do smth.: You soon get out of the way of driving when you haven’t had a car for some time. go out of the way to do something—(also: put oneself out of the way to do something ) go to great trouble to do smth. […]
Difference between Get out of the way and Put oneself out of the way
get out of the way— 1. stand aside or withdraw: John dived for cover but the camera-man played it cool, pausing to switch on the camera before getting out of the way. 2. (also: get out of my way) used as a rude command for a person to move from his place or to go […]