Phrases & Expressions

To manage to live or deal with a situation with difficulty, often with just enough resources.

• We get by on very little money.
• He doesn't earn much, but he gets by.

To become difficult or impossible to control.

• The party got a little out of hand.
• Don't let the situation get out of hand.

Used to tell someone to be realistic or to stop being foolishly optimistic.

• You think you won't get a speeding ticket driving 85 mph? Get real!
• You think you're going to win a million dollars in the lottery? Get real!

To clarify or understand something correctly.

• Are you sure you got the directions straight?
• Let me get this straight — you're leaving your husband?

To learn how to do something through practice.

• Billy had trouble learning to ride a bike, but after a few months he finally got the hang of it.
• When I first went snowboarding, I kept falling, but after a while I got the hang of it.

to talk about the main topic

• Just get to the point!
• Let me get to the point.

To acknowledge or praise someone for what they have done or deserve.

• I will make sure to thank you in my speech — I always give credit where credit is due.
• She designed the whole project; let's give credit where credit is due.

To provide comments about something.

• Can you give me some feedback?
• He gave constructive feedback.

To make someone feel uneasy, frightened, or disgusted.

• That old empty house at the end of the street gives me the creeps.
• There was a strange man following me around the grocery store — he was giving me the creeps.

To accept an idea, plan or decision, often without really agreeing with it.

• She decided to go along with the suggestion.
• I don't agree, but I'll go along with it.