get down

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

get down (third-person singular simple present gets down, present participle getting down, simple past got down, past participle (UK) got down or (US) gotten down)

1. (transitive or intransitive) To bring or come down; to descend; to cause to bring or come down.

   The kitten climbed the tree, but then couldn't get down again.

   Don't worry, I got the kitten down.

2. (transitive) To swallow (something).

   The pill was so large that he couldn't get it down.

3. (informal, intransitive) To duck or take cover, usually to avoid harm. Commonly used as a caution or warning in the imperative.

   With bullets flying, all I could do was get down and pray.

4. To concentrate; attend.

   To get down to the matter at hand.

5. (transitive) To depress; discourage; fatigue.

   Nothing gets me down so much as a rainy day.

6. To relax and enjoy oneself completely; be uninhibited in one's enjoyment.

   Getting down with a bunch of old friends.

   • 2011, “Friday”, performed by Rebecca Black ft. Patrice Wilson:

     It's Friday, Friday / Gotta get down on Friday / Everybody's lookin' forward to the weekend, weekend

7. (informal, intransitive) To dance, particularly without inhibition or restraint, or in a sexually suggestive manner.

   Synonym: boogie down

8. (informal, intransitive) To party.
9. (informal, intransitive, slang) To have sex, especially to perform oral sex.

   She's always willing to get down with him.

   • 1971, Gil Scott-Heron (lyrics and music), “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”:

     And women will not care if Dick finally got down with Jane on Search for Tomorrow

   • 1975, “Get Down Tonight”, performed by KC and the Sunshine Band:

     Oh, do a little dance / Make a little love / Get down tonight, get down tonight

   • 1978, “Dirty Weekend”, in Blondes Have More Fun, performed by Rod Stewart:

     You get naked, honey, I'll get down / I'm gonna chase you around

10. (intransitive, British, informal, of a child) To leave the table after dining.

    Mummy, can I get down please?

11. (transitive) To record, most often in writing.

    Synonym: take down

    Quick, here's a pen, get this down will you, before I forget.

    They got the whole song down in an hour.

12. (transitive) To criticise; to be strict towards.

    Ann is always getting down on these students

13. (intransitive, slang, US) To use a drug, especially heroin.

    I can't wait to get home and get down.

14. (transitive, intransitive, slang, US) To do or perform well; to make happen; to make a serious effort at doing something.

    I've got this process down.

15. (transitive, intransitive, slang, US) To bet on (something); to place bets; to gamble.

    He's gotta get down on this sure thing.

16. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see get,‎ down.

Translations

come down (intransitive) — see come down

go down (intransitive) — see go down

bring down (transitive) — see let down

party — see party

have sex — see have sex

References

• “get down”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.