get behind
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To lag or linger behind; to fail to keep pace with others or with a schedule: This describes the act of moving or progressing more slowly than others, resulting in a position at the back or a state of delay.
- To support or endorse; to get on the side of: This meaning involves giving one's backing, approval, or alignment with a person, idea, or cause.
Usage and Examples
- Verb (To lag behind):
- If you don't study regularly, you will quickly get behind in your classes.
- The project is getting behind schedule because of the supply delays.
- Verb (To support):
- It's important to get behind the new community initiative.
- The whole team needs to get behind the coach's strategy.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- The phrase often implies a need for effort to catch up when used in the "lag behind" sense.
- In the "support" sense, it can carry a connotation of active and enthusiastic backing, not just passive agreement.
Variants and Related Words
- Fall behind: A very close synonym for "get behind" in the sense of lagging.
- Support, back, endorse: Synonyms for the "give approval" meaning.
Synonyms
- Lag, trail, straggle: For the meaning of falling back.
- Champion, advocate, rally behind: For the meaning of giving support.
Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions
- Get behind with (something): Specifically used for falling behind in payments, work, or duties.
- He got behind with his rent after losing his job.
- Get behind on (something): Similar to "get behind with," often used for schedules or tasks.
- We are getting behind on our project milestones.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- "Get behind me!": An imperative phrase that can literally mean "move to a position behind me" or, more figuratively, "stop opposing me" or "give me your support."
- "Throw one's weight behind": An idiom similar in meaning to the supportive sense of "get behind," implying using one's influence to support something.
Verb
- to lag or linger behind
- But in so many other areas we still are dragging