Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause to descend; to bring or move something to a lower position: To physically lower an object or person.
   • To write or record something: To put thoughts, words, or musical notes into a written or recorded form.
   • To depress or discourage someone: To lower someone's mood or spirits; to make someone feel sad or disheartened.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To descend, especially from a vehicle or elevated position: To alight or step down from something like a horse, bus, or ladder.
   • To assume a lower bodily position, often by kneeling or crouching: To lower one's body, typically to the ground.
   • To begin to work on something seriously; to focus on a task: To start dealing with a matter in a determined way.

Usage Examples

• Verb (transitive):

  • Could you get down that book from the top shelf for me? (To lower an object)
  • I need to get down these ideas before I forget them. (To write something)
  • The constant rain really gets me down. (To depress someone)

• Verb (intransitive):

  • Please get down from that wall; it's not safe. (To descend from a height)
  • The priest asked the congregation to get down on their knees. (To assume a kneeling position)
  • Enough chatting; let's get down to business. (To begin serious work)

Advanced Usage

• "Get down to brass tacks": To start discussing the most important facts or details of a matter.

  • After some small talk, the committee got down to brass tacks and debated the budget.

• "Get down to the nitty-gritty": Similar to "brass tacks," meaning to focus on the fundamental, practical, or specific details.

  • Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of the contract.

Variants and Related Words

• Get-down (noun, informal): A lively, fun party or a style of funky dance music.

  • That concert was a real get-down!

• Got down (past tense):

  • He got down from the ladder carefully.

Synonyms

• Descend: To move or fall downward.
• Alight: To descend from a vehicle.
• Record / Write down: To put in writing.
• Depress / Demoralize: To lower in spirit.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Get down on (someone): To criticize or be harsh toward someone.

  • Don't get down on yourself for making one mistake.

• Get down with (something/someone) (slang): To approve of, agree with, or enjoy something; or to be involved with a group.

  • I really get down with that kind of music.
  • He gets down with a local basketball team.

Related Idioms

• Get your hands dirty: To become involved in the difficult or basic work of something.

  • The manager isn't afraid to get his hands dirty and help on the factory floor.

• Get down and dirty: To engage in something in a very direct, forceful, or rough manner, often without concern for rules or politeness.

  • The debate is about to get down and dirty.

Verb

1. take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
   • We began working at dawn
   • Who will start?
   • Get working as soon as the sun rises!
   • The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia
   • He began early in the day
   • Let's get down to work now
2. put down in writing; of texts, musical compositions, etc.
3. lower someone's spirits; make downhearted
   • These news depressed her
   • The bad state of her child's health demoralizes her
4. pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
   • Swallow the raw fish--it won't kill you!
5. alight from (a horse)
6. move something or somebody to a lower position
   • take down the vase from the shelf
7. lower (one's body) as by kneeling
   • Get down on your knees!