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get over

A2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To feel better after being sick or sad, or to stop being affected by something bad that happened.

Literal meaning: To physically climb over an obstacle — the recovery sense is a natural extension of this image.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To recover from an illness, medical condition, or physical setback.

"It took her nearly three weeks to get over the flu."

Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 idiomatic neutral

To recover emotionally from a painful experience such as a loss, rejection, or breakup.

"He dated her for five years — it's going to take him a long time to get over her."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal

To stop being surprised or shocked by something unexpected.

"I can't get over how much the city has changed since I last visited."

Grammar: inseparable
4 B1 neutral

To overcome or find a solution to a problem, difficulty, or obstacle.

"The main challenge is funding — I'm not sure how we'll get over that."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Extremely common in everyday English. 'Get over it' can be sympathetic or dismissive depending on tone. Used for both physical recovery ('get over a cold') and emotional recovery ('get over a breakup'). Also used for surprise: 'I can't get over how much he's changed!'

Commonly used with

illness breakup shock loss cold disappointment surprise death

Forms

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

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Synonyms

recover from bounce back from move on from overcome surmount heal from

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