get onto

To move to a position on a surface or enter a vehicle that you can ride in.

• Get onto the bus carefully.
• The cat got onto the table.
• How did you get onto the roof?

How to use it: get onto something (Use the ladder to get onto the roof.)

Similar words: climb onto, board

Common phrases: get onto a bus, get onto the roof, get onto a horse

To contact someone or an organization to discuss a problem or request something.

• Get onto the supplier today.
• I got onto the council about the rubbish.
• Have you got onto someone who can fix the heater?

How to use it: get onto someone about something (I will get onto the landlord about the broken window.)

Similar words: contact, get in touch with

Common phrases: get onto someone, get onto the council

To connect to the internet or another computer network.

• I cannot get onto the internet.
• She got onto the network using her phone.
• Can visitors get onto the office wifi?

How to use it: get onto + network (You need a password to get onto this network.)

Similar words: connect to, access

Common phrases: get onto the internet, get onto a network

To tell someone angrily they have done something wrong, or keep pressing them to do something.

• Dad got onto me for shouting.
• The teacher got onto us about our unfinished work.
• Why are you always getting onto him?

How to use it: get onto someone for doing something (My boss got onto me for arriving late.); get onto someone about something (She keeps getting onto him about his homework.)

Similar words: scold, nag, tell off, criticize

Opposites: praise

Common phrases: get onto someone, get onto me

To help someone discover or start using something new, such as a diet or activity.

• My friend got me onto yoga.
• She got her father onto a healthier diet.
• Who got you onto this new music app?

How to use it: get someone onto something (My sister got me onto this exercise program.)

Similar words: introduce to, turn on to

Common phrases: get someone onto something, get someone onto yoga

To look at someone or something, especially something surprising or interesting.

• Get onto that enormous hat!
• Hey, get onto the cat riding on the dog's back.
• Did you get onto his bright green shoes?

How to use it: get onto someone/something (Get onto that dog balancing on the chair!)

Similar words: look at, check out

Common phrases: get onto this, get onto that, get onto someone