get across

verb

To cross; to move from one side (of something) to the other, literally or figuratively.

“Bridge the digital divide. Let the poor get across.”

Similar
put overclickget throughdawncome homesink inpenetratefall into place
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Meanings

verbget across (third-person singular simple present gets across, present participle getting across, simple past got across, past participle (UK) got across or (US) gotten across)

present singular third person gets across · participle present getting across · past got across · UK participle past got across · US participle past gotten across

  1. intransitivetransitiveTo cross; to move from one side (of something) to the other, literally or figuratively.

    Bridge the digital divide. Let the poor get across.

    2 more examples

    In heavy rain, the cavalry couldn't get across the river.

    It's impossible to get across with all checkpoints closed.

  2. transitiveTo make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling; put over.

    Better organized writing helps to get the point across.

    1 more example

    I couldn't get across to the board this simple economic fact.

  3. datedintransitiveslangAfrican-American VernacularTo succeed; to do well.
  4. slangtransitiveTo annoy (someone); to get on someone's bad side.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbcommunicate successfully

Similar
put over
Broader
communicatepass onpass

verbbecome clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions

Similar
clickget throughdawncome homesink inpenetratefall into place
Broader
understandrealizerealise

verbtravel across or pass over

Similar
traversetrackcovercrosspass overget overcut throughcut across
Broader
pass
Also see
clickcome homecovercrosscut acrosscut throughdawnfall into placeget overget throughpass overpenetrateput oversink intracktraverse

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Catalan evidenciar, patentitzar
  • evidenciarto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
  • patentitzarto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
Czech přejet, objasnit
  • přejetto cross; to move from one side (of something) to the other
  • objasnitto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
French traverser, mettre en évidence
  • traverserto cross; to move from one side (of something) to the other
  • mettre en évidenceto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
Indonesian melewati, menyeberang
  • melewatito cross; to move from one side (of something) to the other
  • menyeberangto cross; to move from one side (of something) to the other
  • menyampaikanto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
Italian attraversare, evidenziare
  • attraversareto cross; to move from one side (of something) to the other
  • evidenziareto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
  • trasmettereto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
Portuguese evidenciar
  • evidenciarto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
Spanish cruzar, evidenciar
  • cruzarto cross; to move from one side (of something) to the other
  • evidenciarto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
  • patentizarto make an idea evident; to successfully explain a thought or feeling
Cite this entry
APA

get across. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/get%20across

MLA

“get across.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/get%20across. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “get across,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/get%20across.

Source: get across on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.