Phrasal verb
get to know sb
Definition
phrasal verb. to spend time with someone so that you gradually learn more about them and become familiar with their personality.
phrasal verb. to undergo a process of increasing familiarity with a person through social interaction and shared time.
Examples
“I want to get to know my new neighbors better.”
“It takes a long time to really get to know someone's true character.”
“The orientation week is designed specifically for students to get to know one another before the academic pressure begins.”
Examples
simple
“I want to get to know my new neighbors better.”
contextual
“It takes a long time to really get to know someone's true character.”
complex
“The orientation week is designed specifically for students to get to know one another before the academic pressure begins.”
Usage
the object 'sb' (somebody) usually refers to a person, but can also refer to a place or a topic.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'know' (the state of already having information) vs 'get to know' (the process of acquiring that information).
Pitfall
I knew him at the party last night.
I got to know him at the party last night.
'Know' describes a state, while 'get to know' describes the process of becoming familiar.
Phrasal verb
Particles
to know
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
get + to + know + object