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get onto

B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To go onto something, get accepted for something, or start talking about something.

Literal meaning: To move onto the surface of something — transparent in physical use, idiomatic in abstract uses.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To climb or move onto a vehicle, surface, or object.

"She struggled to get onto the horse without help from the riding instructor."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To be accepted onto or gain access to a programme, list, committee, or system.

"Only twelve students managed to get onto the advanced research programme this year."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To begin talking about or dealing with a new subject.

"Once we've finished this, we can get onto the question of the budget."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The spelling 'get onto' (one word) and 'get on to' (two words) are often used interchangeably in modern English, though style guides may distinguish them. The 'access a list/programme' sense is very common in academic and professional English ('get onto the course', 'get onto the shortlist').

Commonly used with

bus horse course committee shortlist topic platform ladder

Forms

Base
get onto
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gets onto
he/she/it
Past simple
got onto
yesterday
Past participle
got/gotten onto
have + pp
-ing form
getting onto
continuous

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Synonyms

board mount access join be accepted to move to

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