English Reference

Phrasal verb

get on with

Definitions

01to continue a task

B1

phr.v. to continue doing something, especially after a break or when you need to finish it.

phr.v. to proceed with or resume a task, often with a sense of urgency or after an interruption.

“I need to stop chatting and get on with my homework now.”

“After the brief power outage, the team had to get on with the data entry to meet the midnight deadline.”

Usage

This is an inseparable phrasal verb that takes a direct object.

Antonyms

02to have a good relationship

B1

phr.v. to have a friendly and easy relationship with someone.

phr.v. to maintain a harmonious or friendly relationship with another person.

“Do you get on with your new flatmates?”

“Although they have very different personalities, the two colleagues get on with each other remarkably well in a professional setting.”

British English

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'with' followed by a person.

Teaching tip

In American English, 'get along with' is much more common for this specific sense.

Synonyms

Antonyms

03to make progress

B2

phr.v. to make progress with a project or a situation.

phr.v. to manage or make progress in a specific situation or with a particular activity.

“How are you getting on with your new job?”

“The supervisor asked how the interns were getting on with the new software system after the first week of training.”

British English

Usage

Frequently used in questions to ask about someone's well-being or success in a new role.

Antonyms

Teaching tip

highlight the dual meaning: 'proceeding with work' versus 'social harmony'; note that 'get along with' is more common in American English for the social sense.

Phrasal verb

Particles

on with

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

get + on + with + object

Synonyms

Antonyms

Grammar

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference