To move to a lower position, to write something down, to make someone feel depressed, or (informal) to dance.
To move lower, to write something, to feel sad, or to dance.
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To move to a lower position or to cause someone/something to move lower.
"Get down from that wall — you'll hurt yourself!"
Get down, Mr. President!
— Common dramatic line in political thrillers; most famously parodied in pop culture
To write or record something.
"Let me get your number down before I forget it."
To make someone feel sad or depressed.
"All this grey weather is really getting me down."
I get knocked down, but I get up again.
— Chumbawamba, 'Tubthumping' (1997)
To dance enthusiastically. (Informal, originally American)
"The whole crowd started getting down when the DJ played the old hits."
Get down tonight.
— KC and the Sunshine Band, 'Get Down Tonight' (1975)
To move your body to a lower position — most senses extend naturally from this physical meaning.
To move lower, to write something, to feel sad, or to dance.
The dancing sense ('get down') is American informal slang from the 1970s and is still used today. The depression sense is transitive: 'This weather gets me down.' 'Get it down' means to record or write something.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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