get across
يوصل فكرة
Littéralement: To move something from one side to the other
Use it when you want to emphasize that your message was successfully understood, not just spoken.
En 15 secondes
- Successfully communicating an idea or emotion to someone else.
- Making sure your message is fully understood by the listener.
- Bridging the gap between your thoughts and their understanding.
Signification
When you have a message or a feeling in your head and you want to make sure the other person truly understands it, you 'get it across'. It is about bridging the gap between your thoughts and their brain.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6In a business meeting
I used a chart to get my point across to the investors.
I used a chart to make the investors understand my point.
Arguing with a friend
I'm just trying to get across how much this hurt me.
I'm just trying to make you understand how much this hurt me.
Texting about a joke
Sarcasm is so hard to get across over text!
It is hard to make people understand sarcasm in messages.
Contexte culturel
This phrase reflects the 'low-context' nature of English-speaking cultures, where the burden of clarity lies with the speaker. It suggests that communication is a physical journey for an idea to travel from one mind to another. It gained massive popularity in the 20th century alongside the rise of corporate communication training.
The 'It' Rule
If you use 'it', always put it in the middle: 'Get it across'. Never say 'Get across it'—that sounds like you are physically climbing over a fence!
Don't confuse with 'Come Across'
'Get across' is what you try to do. 'Come across' is how people actually see you. You might try to get across confidence but come across as arrogant.
En 15 secondes
- Successfully communicating an idea or emotion to someone else.
- Making sure your message is fully understood by the listener.
- Bridging the gap between your thoughts and their understanding.
What It Means
Imagine your idea is on one side of a river. Your friend is on the other. To get across, you have to build a bridge so your idea reaches them safely. It is not just about speaking words. It is about making sure the meaning survives the trip. If you explain a joke and nobody laughs, you didn't get it across. If you explain a plan and everyone nods, you did it!
How To Use It
This is a phrasal verb, and it is flexible. You can say get the point across or get across the point. Most people put the 'thing' in the middle. For example: I tried to get my feelings across. It works for ideas, emotions, instructions, or even a specific 'vibe'. Use it when communication feels like a task or a challenge. It implies you are working hard to be understood.
When To Use It
Use it in a meeting when your boss looks confused. Use it when you are arguing with a partner and they just don't 'get' you. It is perfect for texting when you are worried your tone might be misunderstood. It is also great for public speaking or teaching. If you are a parent trying to explain why eating broccoli is good, you are trying to get that message across.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for simple facts that require no effort. You do not get across that the sky is blue. That is too easy! Also, do not use it for physical movement like crossing a street. For that, just use cross. Avoid it in very short, robotic commands. It is a word about the process of understanding, not just the data.
Cultural Background
English speakers value 'clear communication' above almost everything else. In many Western cultures, if someone doesn't understand, it is the speaker's fault. Using get across shows you are taking responsibility for the message. It became very popular in the mid-20th century as business psychology grew. It treats thoughts like physical objects that need to be delivered.
Common Variations
Put across: Very similar, but feels a bit more formal or deliberate.Come across: This is how you are perceived. If you try toget acrosskindness butcome acrossas fake, you have a problem!Get your point across: The most common way to use this phrase in an argument or debate.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is highly versatile across all registers. Remember that it is a 'separable' phrasal verb, meaning the object can go in the middle or at the end, except when using pronouns like 'it' or 'them'.
The 'It' Rule
If you use 'it', always put it in the middle: 'Get it across'. Never say 'Get across it'—that sounds like you are physically climbing over a fence!
Don't confuse with 'Come Across'
'Get across' is what you try to do. 'Come across' is how people actually see you. You might try to get across confidence but come across as arrogant.
Body Language
In English culture, 'getting it across' often involves hand gestures. People often move their hands forward as if pushing an object toward the listener.
Exemples
6I used a chart to get my point across to the investors.
I used a chart to make the investors understand my point.
Professional context where visual aids help communication.
I'm just trying to get across how much this hurt me.
I'm just trying to make you understand how much this hurt me.
Used to express deep personal emotions.
Sarcasm is so hard to get across over text!
It is hard to make people understand sarcasm in messages.
Common frustration with digital communication.
The teacher struggled to get the complex theory across to the kids.
The teacher found it hard to explain the theory to the kids.
Focuses on the difficulty of the explanation.
I tried to get across that I was hungry, but he thought I was angry.
I tried to show him I was hungry, but he misunderstood.
Shows the failure of getting a message across.
The politician failed to get her vision across to the voters.
The politician failed to communicate her vision to the voters.
Formal use regarding public perception.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
He used simple words to ___ his message across to the audience.
The standard phrasal verb is 'get across'.
Where should the object go?
I really need to get ___ across.
You get 'something' across. 'My point' is the object.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Get Across'
Talking to friends about feelings.
I can't get across how bored I am.
Daily workplace or school talk.
Did you get your idea across?
Academic or professional presentations.
The report fails to get across the urgency.
When to use 'Get Across'
Job Interview
Get your skills across clearly.
Relationship Talk
Get your needs across.
Giving Directions
Get the route across to the driver.
Social Media
Get your brand's vibe across.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your best friend or your CEO without any issues.
Usually no. We use it for ideas, messages, and feelings. For a physical box, you would just say move it across.
Explain is the action you take. Get across is the result—it means the explanation actually worked.
Yes, you can say get across my point or get my point across. Both are perfectly natural.
The past tense is got across. For example: 'I finally got my point across after ten minutes.'
Yes, but in very formal academic writing, you might prefer convey or articulate.
Not exactly. It is the act of *making* someone understand. You don't 'get across' a book; you 'get the message of the book across' to others.
Absolutely. 'It was hard to get my meaning across in French' is a very common sentence.
Using 'to' after it. Don't say get across to my idea. Say get my idea across.
It is used equally in both! It is a universal English expression.
Expressions liées
Convey a message
A more formal way to say get across.
Drive home a point
To emphasize something very strongly so it is understood.
Make oneself clear
To ensure there is no confusion about what you are saying.
Put into words
To express a feeling or idea that is difficult to describe.
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