get back at someone—gain revenge against a person: Students have no way of getting back at a teacher who marks their work unfairly. get back to someone—speak to smb. again at a later time (by telephone): I’ll take advice on this matter and get back to you this afternoon.
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Get away and Make one’s getaway
get away— 1. leave a place, especially with some difficulty: “Sorry I couldn’t get away sooner,” said Patrick. “I had some things to finish up.” 2. escape from prison, the police, etc.: Police say the suspect got away on a green motorcycle with no tags. 3. escape smth. dangerous: There were five seconds between him […]
Difference between Get around something and Get around to something
get around something—(also: get round something ) circumvent or evade rules, regulations, etc. (without committing a legal offence): In order to get around this legal point the refugees are said to be “housed” there rather than “detained.” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase get one’s head around something—(coll.) understand or […]
Difference between Get a word in and Put a word in
get a word in —(also: get in a word) succeed in saying smth. when other people are talking ignoring you: You are so hotheaded and exclamatory that I cannot get a word in. Cf.: get a word in edgewise—used as an emphatic variant of the former: I want to ask him about the book, but […]
Difference between Get a start and Get one’s start
get a start— 1. receive help starting one’s car: My car is stalled. I need to get a start. 2. receive the first major opportunity of one’s career: She got a start in show business in Cincinnati. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase get a head start—begin smth. earlier than […]
Difference between Get a shot at something and Give something a shot
get a shot at something— 1. shoot at smth.: The buck was partly hidden. I couldn’t get a shot at it. 2. (coll.) attempt to do smth. new or unfamiliar: I’m anxious to get a shot at this early project that Tim worked on. give something a shot— = get a shot at something 2: […]
Difference between Get a rush from something and Get a rush on something
get a rush from something—(U.S. sl.) become excited or exhilarated by smth.: If you get a rush from surfing, skateboarding or snow boarding, you’ll find this emerging sport is pure exhilaration. get a rush on something—(sl., also: put a rush on something) hurry up with smth.; make haste with smth.: The finger print man arrives, […]
Difference between Get a rise out of someone and Take the rise out of someone
get a rise out of someone—(coll.) make a person become annoyed or angry: “Tell everyone I’m not Cuban,” said Medwick, hoping to get a rise out of the driver. But none came. take the rise out of someone—(coll.) embarrass smb. into humility (making him realize that he is not so strong, clever, etc.): They were […]
Difference between Get a raise and Get a rise
get a raise—be given an increase in one’s wage or salary: My bureau were delighted…. I got a raise when I went back to Cuba. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase make a raise—(also: make a rise) succeed in striking gold or other precious metals by mining: He fled to […]
Difference between Get a point and Get the point
get a point—(also: gain a point) score a point in a game or contest: Under the initial rules, the first person who does get a point has already won. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase have a point—be right about a particular matter: Okay, I’ll admit you have a point […]
Difference between Get a move on and Get on the move
get a move on—(often imper.) 1. hasten one’s steps; hurry up: As he slowed down, she added sharply, “Nay, get a move on, will you!” 2. start acting vigorously: I really just hadn’t packed things away very well, so I got a move on and got the room in decent order. Note: The expression does […]
Difference between Get a load of and Get a load on
get a load of something—(sl.) 1. listen to smth. carefully: Did you get a load of what she said? 2. take a look at smth.; pay attention to smth.: Get a load of that car. It’s got real wire wheels. get a load on—(sl.) be drunk (also: get one’s load on): I got a load […]