get somewhere/anywhere/nowhere

get anywhere

To make progress. Did you guys get anywhere in the negotiations today? Ugh, I'm not getting anywhere with my research right now. A: "Have you guys gotten anywhere in the garage?" B: "Please, there's so much junk in there, it'll take us a year to clean it out!"

See also: anywhere, get

get somewhere

To make or begin making progress. We got delayed by all the legal hurdles, but now we're finally getting somewhere with the construction. So it was your wife who signed the contract on your behalf? OK, now we're getting somewhere. I know it's an especially acrimonious divorce, but the two sides will get somewhere eventually. Nobody wants to fight forever.

See also: get, somewhere

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get nowhere

Also, not get anywhere. Make no progress, as in I've tried to put this together, but I'm getting nowhere with it. This expression is sometimes intensified as get nowhere fast, as in I tried phoning but got nowhere fast. [Early 1900s] Also see get somewhere; get there.

See also: get, nowhere

get somewhere

Make progress. For example, The foundation has been laid, so we're finally getting somewhere. Also see get nowhere; get there.

See also: get, somewhere

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.

ˈget somewhere/anywhere/nowhere

make some/no progress: Now at last we’re getting somewhere! ♢ You’ll get nowhere in life if you don’t work harder. ♢ Are you getting anywhere with that new manager?

See also: anywhere, get, nowhere, somewhere

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017