get something over with
To proceed to do something as soon as possible, especially so as to have something unpleasant behind oneself.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I want to get this homework over with today.”
“I hate going to the dentist, so I always book the earliest appointment to get it over with.”
“Rather than prolonging his anxiety by delaying the inevitable, he decided to face the difficult conversation and get it over with once and for all.”
A combination of the verb *get* and the prepositional phrase *over with*.
- 01
a little of something goes a long way
Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.
- 02
as it gets
As it is possible to be.
- 03
been there, done that, got the T-shirt
Alternative form of been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.
- 04
can't get enough
Greatly enjoys; likes a lot.
- 05
cat got someone's tongue
Why is someone not saying anything?
- 06
chalk something up to experience
To take a lesson from a bad outcome instead of grieving it.
- 07
could not get elected dogcatcher
Said of someone, particularly a politician, who is extremely unpopular.
- 08
don't get someone started
Used to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avoid.
Last updated August 10, 2026