ENGLISH
REFERENCE

get onto

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

phr. v.. to contact someone to ask for help or to tell them about a problem.

phr. v.. to initiate contact with a person or organization, typically to request information, lodge a complaint, or remind them of a task.


SIMPLE

I'll get onto the plumber about the leak.

CONTEXTUAL

If the package doesn't arrive by tomorrow, I'll get onto the delivery company and ask for a refund.

COMPLEX

The legal department needs to get onto the contractors immediately to ensure the confidentiality agreements are signed before the project launch.

Particles
onto
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
get + onto + object
Usage

often used when you are following up on something that has been delayed or forgotten.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'get on with' (to continue a task) to avoid confusion; this sense of 'get onto' is particularly common in British and Australian English for administrative follow-ups.

Pitfall

I will get onto to the manager.I will get onto the manager.the preposition 'onto' already includes the direction of the action, so adding 'to' is redundant.

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