get to (someone or something)

1. To physically reach something. I just can't get to that box on the top shelf without the ladder. How exactly am I supposed to get to the gutter from all the way down here? Do you need a stool to get to the stuff on top on the refrigerator?

2. To arrive at a destination. When do you guys think you'll get to the party? Our flight was delayed, so we got to Miami an hour later than anticipated. I'm sorry, I haven't gotten to the computer lab yet, so I don't have those printouts for you.

3. To be able to contact someone. A: "Has anyone been able to get to Aunt Mildred? Is she OK?" B: "Yeah, I talked to her yesterday." How am I supposed to get to Uncle Kevin when he has no cell phone or email address? Has anyone gotten to Grandma since the storm hit?

4. To address or tackle something, such as a task. Let me finish washing the silverware and then I'll get to those other dishes. Please tell me you're finally going to get to this filing today. We are never going to get to cleaning out the attic this weekend, are we?

5. To confront someone, typically someone inaccessible, in order to influence them illegally, such as through bribery or threats. If they suddenly changed their story, it's because one of his thugs got to them first. With enough money, you can get to a lot of people and manufacture whatever legal outcome you need. Don't worry, boss, I got to the witness, and she's clear on what she needs to tell the police.

6. To bother someone. As much as I enjoy the spring, it's not long until my allergies start to get to me. How is no one else bothered by that annoying alarm? It got to me about one minute after it started going off! All right, it's time for me to take something—this headache is really getting to me.

7. To bring something or ensure that something is delivered to someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "get" and "to." Can you get this textbook to Jane by first period tomorrow? Did the guy at the post office tell you when the package would get to Mom? Yeah, I'll see Linda this weekend, so I can get your card to her, no problem.

See also: get, to

get (around) to someone or something

to be able to deal with someone or something eventually. (See also get around to doing something.) I will get around to you in a moment. Please be patient. The mechanic will get around to your car when possible.

See also: get, to

get something to someone

to have something delivered or transported to someone. Will you please get this to Joe Wilson today? I'll try to get it to you by the end of the day.

See also: get, to

get to someone

1. Lit. to manage to locate and meet someone; to manage to communicate with someone. (See also get to something.) I got to her on the telephone and told her what to do.

2. Fig. [for someone or something] to annoy someone. The whole business began to get to me after a while. Her high-pitched voice got to me after a while.

3. Fig. [for someone or something] to please or entice someone. Lovely flowers and things like that get to me. Sad music gets to me and makes me cry.

See also: get, to

get to something

1. Lit. to reach something physically. (See also get to someone.) I couldn't get to the telephone in time. I got to him just in time to help him.

2. Fig. to arrive at a topic of discussion. Money? We will get to that in a minute. We will get to the question of where your office will be after we discuss whether you are hired or not.

3. Fig. to start on [doing] something; to begin doing something. I'll get to it as soon as possible. Have you managed to get to my repair job yet? Your complaining is getting to bother me.

See also: get, to

get to

1. Arrive at, reach, as in When we get to the store we'll talk to the manager.

2. Begin doing something or start to deal with something. For example, We got to reminiscing about college days, or Let's get to this business right now. [Mid-1800s]

3. Bribe someone, as in We're sure the dealer got to one of the narcotics agents. [Slang; 1920s]

4. Influence or affect, especially adversely, as in This loud music really gets to me, or Mother's crying always gets to him. [Colloquial; 1960s] Also see get under someone's skin.

See also: get, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

get to

1. To arrive at some place: Our plane got to Miami at noon.

2. To begin doing something: After visiting the orphanage, I got to thinking about my own childhood.

3. To start to deal with something: I couldn't get to the assignment until Sunday because I was busy with other work.

4. To influence or affect someone, especially adversely: The sound of crying babies really gets to me. Don't let their teasing get to you.

See also: get, to

get to someone

1. in. [for someone or something] to annoy someone after a period of exposure to the annoyance. The whole business began to get to me after a while.

2. in. [for someone or something] to please or entice someone. Sad music gets to me and makes me cry.