Ever wondered why we get a job, get married, or get sick instead of do or make those things? The answer lies in collocations—natural word combinations that native speakers use without thinking.
“Get” is one of the most flexible and commonly used verbs in English. From simple actions like get dressed to more advanced ones like get the message across, mastering collocations with get is a big step toward fluency.
What Are Collocations with Get?
Collocations are words that commonly appear together. When it comes to get, it often teams up with a noun or adjective to form natural expressions:
Correct
I got permission.
Incorrect
I made permission.
These combinations aren’t just about grammar—they’re about sounding right.
Why Learn “Get” Collocations?
- Speak and write more naturally
- Understand native-level English
- Avoid weird, unnatural phrases
- Improve listening, reading, and fluency
Common Patterns with Get
Most collocations with “get” follow these patterns:
- get + noun → get a job, get a ticket
- get + adjective → get angry, get ready
- get + prepositional phrase → get into trouble, get out of bed
Let’s break them down into learner-friendly categories.
Collocations with Get – Work & Daily Life
| Collocation | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get a job | be employed | He finally got a job in marketing. |
| get a promotion | be promoted | She got a promotion last week. |
| get a raise | receive more salary | I hope to get a raise next month. |
| get hired | be selected for a job | He got hired by Google. |
| get fired | lose your job | She got fired for being late. |
| get paid | receive wages | I get paid every Friday. |
| get to work | arrive at your workplace | I usually get to work by 9 a.m. |
| get off work | finish working | I get off work at 5 p.m. |
| get a task done | complete a duty | We need to get this task done today. |
| get things done | accomplish things | He’s great at getting things done. |
Collocations with Get – Emotions & Reactions
| Collocation | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get angry | become upset | Don’t get angry over small things. |
| get upset | feel sad or irritated | She got upset after the meeting. |
| get mad | become furious | He gets mad easily. |
| get frustrated | become annoyed | I get frustrated when my phone lags. |
| get bored | feel uninterested | I get bored during long lectures. |
| get scared | become afraid | I get scared watching horror films. |
| get excited | become thrilled | Kids get excited before holidays. |
| get nervous | feel anxious | I always get nervous before exams. |
| get emotional | become very expressive | He got emotional during the speech. |
| get overjoyed | feel extremely happy | She got overjoyed when she passed. |
Collocations with Get – Relationships & Social Life
| Collocation | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get married | become a husband/wife | They’re getting married in July. |
| get divorced | legally end a marriage | He got divorced last year. |
| get engaged | agree to marry | We got engaged in Paris. |
| get along (with) | have good relationship | I get along with my boss. |
| get together | meet socially | Let’s get together this weekend. |
| get in touch | contact someone | I’ll get in touch soon. |
| get back to someone | reply later | I’ll get back to you by tomorrow. |
| get rid of | eliminate/remove | I need to get rid of old clothes. |
| get involved | participate or engage | Try to get involved in clubs. |
| get on someone’s nerves | annoy them | His jokes get on my nerves. |
Collocations with Get – Health & Wellbeing
| Collocation | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get sick | become ill | I got sick after the trip. |
| get better | recover | He’s getting better now. |
| get worse | deteriorate | Her condition got worse overnight. |
| get tired | feel fatigue | I get tired after long meetings. |
| get hurt | be injured | He got hurt playing soccer. |
| get a headache | experience head pain | I got a headache from loud music. |
| get a cold | catch a mild illness | She got a cold last week. |
| get vaccinated | receive a vaccine | Everyone should get vaccinated. |
| get tested | take a health test | I need to get tested for COVID. |
| get therapy | receive counseling | He’s getting therapy for anxiety. |
Collocations with Get – Things & Possessions
| Collocation | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get a gift | receive a present | I got a gift from my boss. |
| get a ticket | obtain entry or transport pass | Did you get tickets for the concert? |
| get a call | receive a phone call | I got a call from my sister. |
| get an email | receive electronic mail | She got an email from her teacher. |
| get a letter | receive written mail | I got a letter yesterday. |
| get a package | receive a parcel | We got a package from Amazon. |
| get a new phone | obtain a new phone | I finally got a new phone. |
| get groceries | buy food and supplies | Can you get some groceries on the way? |
| get a refund | receive money back | I got a refund for the faulty item. |
| get a loan | borrow money | He got a loan to buy a car. |
Collocations with Get – Understanding & Communication
| Collocation | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get the message | understand a point | I think she finally got the message. |
| get the joke | understand humor | He didn’t get the joke. |
| get the idea | understand a concept | Do you get the idea now? |
| get it wrong | misunderstand | You got it wrong again. |
| get it right | understand correctly | Keep trying until you get it right. |
| get confused | become puzzled | I get confused with numbers. |
| get lost | not understand or literally lost | I got lost in the museum. |
| get through (to) | make someone understand | I can’t get through to him. |
| get the point | grasp the meaning | You get the point, right? |
| get into an argument | start a fight | They got into an argument at dinner. |
Idiomatic & Advanced Collocations with Get
| Collocation | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| get away with (something) | escape punishment | He got away with cheating. |
| get used to | become accustomed to | I’m getting used to the new schedule. |
| get over (something) | recover from | She got over her breakup. |
| get by | manage to survive | We get by on a small salary. |
| get ahead | succeed in career | He wants to get ahead in life. |
| get down to business | focus on the task | Let’s get down to business. |
| get across | communicate effectively | I couldn’t get my point across. |
| get behind (with) | fall behind schedule | I’ve gotten behind on my work. |
| get together | meet or gather | Let’s get together this weekend. |
| get the hang of | learn how to do something | I finally got the hang of driving. |
Quick List: 200+ Collocations with Get
- get a job
- get a promotion
- get a raise
- get a degree
- get a certificate
- get an education
- get a scholarship
- get an award
- get a bonus
- get fired
- get hired
- get accepted
- get rejected
- get married
- get divorced
- get engaged
- get pregnant
- get dressed
- get changed
- get ready
- get lost
- get home
- get to work
- get to school
- get there
- get back
- get around
- get away
- get out
- get in
- get up
- get down
- get across
- get over
- get through
- get by
- get ahead
- get along
- get together
- get tired
- get sick
- get well
- get better
- get worse
- get hurt
- get injured
- get killed
- get burned
- get bruised
- get angry
- get upset
- get nervous
- get anxious
- get excited
- get emotional
- get bored
- get scared
- get worried
- get depressed
- get jealous
- get annoyed
- get hungry
- get thirsty
- get sleepy
- get cold
- get hot
- get wet
- get dry
- get clean
- get dirty
- get ready for
- get the chance
- get the opportunity
- get the idea
- get the impression
- get the feeling
- get the joke
- get the message
- get the point
- get the hang of
- get the hint
- get the picture
- get revenge
- get results
- get support
- get permission
- get approval
- get attention
- get experience
- get information
- get knowledge
- get advice
- get help
- get assistance
- get directions
- get feedback
- get news
- get insight
- get access
- get control
- get power
- get permission
- get the blame
- get credit
- get caught
- get involved
- get confused
- get lost in thought
- get into trouble
- get into a habit
- get into shape
- get into an argument
- get into a fight
- get out of trouble
- get out of bed
- get out of debt
- get out of hand
- get out of control
- get off the bus
- get on the bus
- get on a plane
- get off work
- get on someone’s nerves
- get on well
- get on with it
- get behind
- get ahead of
- get stuck
- get hit
- get arrested
- get sentenced
- get released
- get away with
- get in touch
- get a call
- get a text
- get an email
- get a message
- get a signal
- get a refund
- get a ticket
- get a fine
- get a haircut
- get a tan
- get a drink
- get a bite
- get a snack
- get some rest
- get some sleep
- get some exercise
- get in shape
- get fired up
- get carried away
- get even
- get down to business
- get through the day
- get things done
- get things moving
- get something off your chest
- get your act together
- get your life together
- get your way
- get your point across
- get your money’s worth
- get your priorities straight
- get your hands dirty
- get your feet wet
- get your hair done
- get your nails done
- get your car fixed
- get your phone repaired
- get vaccinated
- get tested
- get over it
- get on board
- get under someone’s skin
- get through something
- get wind of
- get back at
- get cold feet
- get goosebumps
- get chills
- get sunburned
- get caught in the rain
- get drenched
- get lucky
- get serious
- get going
- get real
- get lost in a book
- get high
- get low
- get ahead in life
- get close to someone
- get away for the weekend
- get in trouble at school
- get better grades
- get top marks
- get behind the wheel
- get out of your comfort zone
- get over your fear
- get to the bottom of something
- get through a tough time
- get used to it
- get in line
- get more out of life
- get fired for misconduct
- get arrested for theft
- get hooked on something
- get addicted to
- get bored with
- get done with
- get filled with joy
- get mad at
- get revenge on
- get the ball rolling
- get things rolling
- get the most out of something
Final Thoughts
Mastering collocations with “get” helps you go from robotic grammar to real, fluent English. These 200+ combinations appear everywhere—in daily talk, business emails, TV shows, and exams.
Practice them. Use them. Own them. And you’ll never “get lost” with “get” again.