get at
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to try to say something indirectly or suggest a hidden meaning.
phrasal verb. to imply or suggest a meaning without stating it explicitly; often used in the progressive aspect to query a speaker's underlying point.
I don't understand what you are getting at.
If you are getting at the fact that I was late, just say it directly.
The prosecutor spent an hour questioning the witness, but the jury struggled to see exactly what he was getting at with such specific inquiries.
almost always used in the continuous form ('getting at') when asking for clarification.
contrast with 'mean' or 'suggest'; 'get at' implies the listener is having trouble grasping the speaker's true intention.
What do you get at?What are you getting at?the phrase is almost always used in the continuous form when asking about a current point being made.
Last updated April 24, 2026