# get on with

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/get-on-with
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to continue a task

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to have a good relationship

phrasal verb · CEFR B1 · British English

to have a friendly and easy relationship with someone.

For teachers: 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.

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.

### 3. to make progress

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · British English

to make progress with a project or a situation.

For teachers: 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.

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

## Examples

- Stop talking and get on with your homework.
- After the short coffee break, the team had to get on with the project to meet the deadline.
- Despite their differing political views, the two colleagues managed to get on with each other and maintain a productive working environment.

## Usage notes

- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.