get down

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

1. intransitivetransitiveTo bring or come down; to descend; to cause to bring or come down.

   Don't worry, I got the kitten down.

   1 more example

   The kitten climbed the tree, but then couldn't get down again.

2. transitiveTo swallow (something).

   The pill was so large that he couldn't get it down.

   Synonyms: ingest, ingurgitate

3. informalintransitiveTo duck or take cover, usually to avoid harm. Commonly used as a caution or warning in the imperative.

   With bullets flying, all I could do was get down and pray.

4. intransitiveTo concentrate; attend.

   To get down to the matter at hand.

5. transitiveTo depress; discourage; fatigue.

   Nothing gets me down so much as a rainy day.

   1 more example

   Everything gets me down until I figure out I have to shove it off again because it's important to be able to be depressed - to feel - but it's not what I'm alive for - feeling as bad as I usually do.

   1999, Jennifer Robin, Bouzi, page 51

   Synonyms: despirit, aggrieve, attrist, begloom, begrieve, besorrow, grieve, pain

6. idiomaticinformalintransitiveTo relax and enjoy oneself completely; be uninhibited in one's enjoyment.

   Getting down with a bunch of old friends.

   1 more example

   It's Friday, Friday / Gotta get down on Friday / Everybody's lookin' forward to the weekend, weekend

   2011, “Friday”, performed by Rebecca Black ft. Patrice Wilson

7. informalintransitiveTo dance, particularly without inhibition or restraint, or in a sexually suggestive manner.

   Synonyms: boogie down

8. informalintransitiveTo party.

   Synonyms: celebrate

9. informalintransitiveslangTo have sex.

   She's always willing to get down with him.

   3 more examples

   And women will not care if Dick finally got down with Jane on Search for Tomorrow

   1971, Gil Scott-Heron, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”

   Oh, do a little dance / Make a little love / Get down tonight, get down tonight

   1975, “Get Down Tonight”, performed by KC and the Sunshine Band

   You get naked, honey, I'll get down / I'm gonna chase you around

   1978, “Dirty Weekend”, in Blondes Have More Fun, performed by Rod Stewart

   Synonyms: get it on, make love, approach, cohabit, common, company, copulate, couple

10. UKinformalintransitiveTo leave the table after dining.

    Mummy, can I get down please?

11. transitiveTo record, most often in writing.

    They got the whole song down in an hour.

    2 more examples

    Quick, here's a pen, get this down will you, before I forget.

    "Get this down, lad," he said, with a note of sharp authority that admitted no discussion. "You have a bit o' paper and a pencil, haven't you? 'C-a-r-r—'"

    1934, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], The Bravo of London

    Synonyms: take down

12. transitiveTo criticise; to be strict towards.

    Ann is always getting down on these students.

    Synonyms: castigate, scold, admonish, animadvert, bash, bawl out, tilt, clobber

13. USintransitiveslangTo use a drug, especially heroin.

    I can't wait to get home and get down.

    Synonyms: shoot up

14. USintransitiveslangtransitiveTo do or perform well; to make happen; to make a serious effort at doing something.

    I've got this process down.

15. USintransitiveslangtransitiveTo bet on (something); to place bets; to gamble.

    He's gotta get down on this sure thing.

16. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see get, down.