ENGLISH
REFERENCE

get on to

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford British English Informal

phr. v.. to contact someone to ask for help or to discuss a specific problem.

phr. v.. to initiate contact with a person or organization, typically for the purpose of making a request, complaint, or inquiry.


SIMPLE

I'll get on to the plumber about the leak.

CONTEXTUAL

If the bank doesn't refund the money by tomorrow, I'll have to get on to their manager.

COMPLEX

The legal department promised to get on to the local authorities regarding the zoning permits before the end of the fiscal quarter.

Particles
on to
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
get + on + to + object
Usage

usually followed by a person or an organization as the object.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'get on with' (to continue or have a relationship) to avoid confusion; this phrase is particularly common in British English for administrative or service-related tasks.

Pitfall

I will get on to the report now.I will get on with the report now.'get on to' implies contacting a person, whereas 'get on with' means starting or continuing a task.

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