get at

To try to express an idea, often without saying it directly.

• What are you getting at?
• I finally understood what she was getting at.
• Are you getting at the need for more staff?

How to use it: what someone is getting at (I understand what you are getting at.)

Similar words: mean, imply, suggest

Common phrases: get at something, trying to get at

To reach something so you can use, touch, or take it.

• I cannot get at my money.
• She moved the chair to get at the shelf.
• Can the children get at these medicines?

How to use it: get at something (Can you get at the box behind the sofa?)

Similar words: access, reach

Common phrases: get at something, get at the money

To discover the truth or cause of something by examining it carefully.

• We must get at the truth.
• The study got at the cause of the problem.
• These questions help us get at what really happened.

How to use it: get at something (We need better evidence to get at the truth.)

Similar words: discover, uncover, establish

Common phrases: get at the truth, get at the cause

To attack, criticize, or keep bothering someone.

• Stop getting at me.
• Her boss got at her about every small mistake.
• The dog tried to get at the stranger through the fence.

How to use it: get at someone (The newspapers keep getting at the coach.)

Similar words: attack, pick on, bother

Common phrases: get at someone, always get at someone

To make someone act dishonestly by threatening them or offering them money.

• They tried to get at the jury.
• The witness had been got at and changed his story.
• Police feared the gang would get at the judge.

How to use it: get at someone (Someone had got at the witness before the trial.)

Similar words: bribe, intimidate, corrupt

Common phrases: get at a witness, get at the jury

To start working on a task or dealing with a problem.

• Let us get at it.
• She got at the paperwork after lunch.
• We need to get at this job today.

How to use it: get at something (We should get at the repairs before winter.)

Similar words: start, begin, get down to

Opposites: stop

Common phrases: get at it, get at the work