ENGLISH
REFERENCE

get over with

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford Informal

phr. v.. to finish something unpleasant quickly so you do not have to worry about it anymore.

phr. v.. to complete a necessary but disagreeable task or experience as soon as possible to avoid further dread or delay.


SIMPLE

I want to get this exam over with today.

CONTEXTUAL

Let's just have the meeting now and get it over with so we can enjoy the weekend.

COMPLEX

The witness hoped to get her testimony over with early in the trial to escape the intense media scrutiny surrounding the case.

Particles
over with
Separability
optional
Pattern
get + object + over + with
Usage

usually used with 'it' or a specific unpleasant task as the object.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'finish' or 'complete'; 'get over with' specifically implies the task is something the speaker dislikes or finds stressful.

Pitfall

I want to get over with the dentist.I want to get the dentist visit over with.the object usually goes between 'get' and 'over' when it is a specific task or event.

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