Definition

1. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To have a harmonious or amicable relationship with someone; to be compatible or friendly.
   • To manage or fare in a particular situation, often implying progress or continuation.
   • (Of time) To become late; to advance towards a later point.
   • To board a vehicle for transportation.

2. Verb (Transitive):

   • To mount or climb onto something, such as a horse or a platform.

Usage and Examples

• Intransitive Verb (Relationship):

  • Despite their differences, the two colleagues get on very well.
  • Do you get on with your new neighbors?

• Intransitive Verb (Progress/Manage):

  • How are you getting on with your new job?
  • He's getting on nicely with his recovery after the surgery.

• Intransitive Verb (Time):

  • It's getting on; we should probably head home soon.
  • It was getting on for midnight when the party finally ended.

• Transitive/Intransitive Verb (Boarding):

  • Please get on the bus quickly; we're running late. (Transitive)
  • We said goodbye as she got on the train. (Intransitive)

• Transitive Verb (Mounting):

  • The rider got on his horse and rode away.

Advanced Usage

• "to be getting on": Used to indicate that someone is becoming old.
  • My grandfather is getting on a bit now, but he's still very active.
• "to get on with it": An imperative phrase urging someone to proceed with a task without delay.
  • Stop talking and get on with it!
• "to get on in years": A euphemistic phrase meaning to grow old.
  • As one gets on in years, one's perspective often changes.

Variants and Related Words

• Get along: Often interchangeable with "get on" in the context of having a good relationship or managing.
  • She gets along well with her in-laws.
• Getting-on (adj, informal): Used to describe someone who is quite old.
  • He's a getting-on sort of fellow.

Synonyms

• Progress: advance, proceed, develop.
• Board: embark, enter, mount.
• Age: grow old, mature.
• Relate: get along, harmonize, connect.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Get on to (someone): To contact someone, especially by phone.
  • I need to get on to the supplier about the delayed order.
• Get on at (someone): To criticize or nag someone persistently.
  • My parents are always getting on at me to tidy my room.

Related Idioms

• Get on one's nerves: To irritate or annoy someone.
  • That constant tapping is really getting on my nerves.
• Get on the bandwagon: To join others in doing something that has become fashionable or popular.
  • After the team started winning, everyone wanted to get on the bandwagon.
• Get on in the world: To become successful in life, especially in one's career.
  • He's very ambitious and determined to get on in the world.

Verb

1. grow old or older
   • She aged gracefully
   • we age every day--what a depressing thought!
   • Young men senesce
2. develop in a positive way
   • He progressed well in school
   • My plants are coming along
   • Plans are shaping up
3. appear in a show, on T.V. or radio
   • The news won't be on tonight
4. grow late or (of time) elapse
   • It is getting on midnight--let's all go to bed!
5. get up on the back of
   • mount a horse
6. get on board of (trains, buses, ships, aircraft, etc.)
7. have smooth relations
   • My boss and I get along very well