1 B1 idiomatic informal
To try to communicate something indirectly; to suggest or imply.
"I'm not sure what you're getting at — can you be more direct?"
inseparable
get at
B1 informal inseparable transitive
To imply something indirectly, to criticise someone repeatedly, or to reach/access something.
In plain English
To try to say something without saying it directly, or to keep criticising someone, or to reach something.
What does "get at" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To criticise or nag someone repeatedly. (Mainly British English)
"He felt like his manager was always getting at him in front of the team."
inseparable
3 A2 neutral
To physically reach or access something.
"The shelves were so high she couldn't get at the boxes on top."
inseparable
4 C1 idiomatic informal
To bribe or illegally influence someone. (Informal/legal contexts)
"The defence claimed that someone had got at the witness before the trial."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically reach or touch something — this literal sense survives but the figurative senses are more frequent.
Actually means
To try to say something without saying it directly, or to keep criticising someone, or to reach something.
Usage tip
The 'imply' sense ('What are you getting at?') is very common in conversation. The 'criticise' sense is mainly British English. The 'access' sense is more literal.
Words that pair with "get at"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
truth point meaning someone facts evidence
How to conjugate "get at"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
get at
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gets at
he/she/it
Past simple
got at
yesterday
Past participle
got/gotten at
have + pp
-ing form
getting at
continuous
Hear "get at" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "get at" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "get at"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
access criticise hint imply reach suggest
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.