Get vs. Give — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 30, 2024
Get emphasizes receiving or obtaining something, while give focuses on transferring or providing something to others.
Difference Between Get and Give
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Get often involves acquiring or coming into possession of something, whether it be through purchasing, receiving as a gift, or achieving. For example, you might get a new book, get a job, or get a surprise. It can also involve understanding or grasping concepts. On the other hand, give is about the act of offering or providing something to another, whether it be tangible items like gifts or intangible like advice or attention. Giving implies a movement away from the giver towards someone or something else. This can include giving gifts, giving time, or giving effort towards a cause.
While get can suggest an effort or action towards acquiring or understanding, it also implies a benefit or addition to oneself or one's situation. For instance, getting a promotion benefits the individual. In contrast, give often entails a degree of selflessness or generosity, as it involves offering or dedicating something of the giver's to another, such as giving to charity, which benefits others.
In terms of interaction, to get something might require asking, earning, or purchasing, which involves an action directed towards gaining something from another source or situation. Whereas, to give, the action is directed outward, indicating a transfer or provision of something from oneself to another party, reflecting an outward flow of resources or care.
Get can also denote comprehension or acceptance of an idea, such as in "I get what you're saying." This use highlights an internal process of understanding or agreement. Conversely, give can imply flexibility or concession in discussions, as in giving ground during negotiations, showcasing an external action of compromise or adjustment.
Additionally, the context and nuance of get and give can shift based on their usage in idiomatic expressions. "To get going" suggests starting or initiating action, emphasizing personal involvement or benefit. Meanwhile, "to give up" implies cessation or surrender, focusing on the relinquishment or offering up of something.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Action
Acquiring, receiving, or understanding
Transferring, providing, or offering
Direction
Towards oneself
Away from oneself
Implication
Benefit, gain, or comprehension
Generosity, provision, or concession
Interaction Required
Asking, earning, or purchasing
Offering, dedicating, or conceding
Example Usage
"I need to get a new charger."
"I will give you my old charger."
Compare with Definitions
Get
To acquire or receive.
I managed to get his signature after the concert.
Give
To provide or supply.
The teacher will give us the exam results tomorrow.
Get
To reach or arrive at a place.
We got to the station just in time.
Give
To present voluntarily without expectation of something in return.
He decided to give his old books to the library.
Get
To cause something to be done.
Get your homework done before dinner.
Give
To make a gesture of offering.
She gave a nod in agreement.
Get
To become or come to be.
She got very interested in science.
Give
To allow or concede.
The negotiation ended when both sides agreed to give a little.
Get
To understand.
Did you get the joke he told earlier?
Give
To grant or bestow.
The president will give the award to the winner.
Get
Come to have (something); receive
I got a letter from him the other day
What kind of reception did you get?
Give
Freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone)
He gave the papers back
The cheque given to the jeweller proved worthless
She gave him presents and clothes
Get
Succeed in attaining, achieving, or experiencing; obtain
He got a teaching job in California
I need all the sleep I can get
Give
Cause or allow (someone or something) to have or experience (something); provide with
You gave me such a fright
This leaflet gives our opening times
Get
Reach or cause to reach a specified state or condition
I need to get my hair cut
He'd got thinner
It's getting late
You'll get used to it
Give
Carry out or perform (a specified action)
He gave the counter a polish
I gave a bow
Get
Come, go, or make progress eventually or with some difficulty
Nigel got home very late
He hadn't got very far with the book yet
Give
Yield as a product or result
Milk is sometimes added to give a richer cheese
Get
See have
Give
Concede (something) as valid or deserved in respect of (someone)
Give him his due
Get
Catch or apprehend (someone)
The police have got him
Give
State or put forward (information or argument)
He did not give his name
Get
Understand (an argument or the person making it)
What do you mean? I don't get it
Give
Alter in shape under pressure rather than resist or break
That chair doesn't give
Get
Acquire (knowledge) by study; learn
That knowledge which is gotten at school
Give
Capacity to bend or alter in shape under pressure
Plastic pots that have enough give to accommodate the vigorous roots
Get
An animal's offspring.
Give
To make a present of
We gave her flowers for her birthday.
Get
A person whom the speaker dislikes or despises.
Give
To place in the hands of; pass
Give me the scissors.
Get
To come into possession or use of; receive
Got a cat for her birthday.
Give
To deliver in exchange or recompense; pay
Gave five dollars for the book.
Get
To meet with or incur
Got nothing but trouble for her efforts.
Give
To let go for a price; sell
Gave the used car away for two thousand dollars.
Get
To go after and obtain
Got a book at the library.
Got breakfast in town.
Give
To administer
Give him some cough medicine.
Get
To go after and bring
Get me a pillow.
Give
To convey by a physical action
Gave me a punch in the nose.
Get
To purchase; buy
Get groceries.
Give
To inflict as punishment
Was given life imprisonment for the crime.
Get
To acquire as a result of action or effort
He got his information from the internet. You can't get water out of a stone.
Give
To bestow, especially officially; confer
The Bill of Rights gives us freedom of speech.
Get
To earn
Got high marks in math.
Give
To accord or tender to another
Give him your confidence.
Get
To accomplish or attain as a result of military action.
Give
To put temporarily at the disposal of
Gave them the cottage for a week.
Get
To obtain by concession or request
Couldn't get the time off.
Got permission to go.
Give
To entrust to another, usually for a specified reason
Gave me the keys for safekeeping.
Get
To arrive at; reach
When did you get home?.
Give
To communicate, convey, or offer for conveyance
Give him my best wishes. Give us the latest news.
Get
To reach and board; catch
She got her plane two minutes before takeoff.
Give
To endure the loss of; sacrifice
Gave her son to the war.
Gave her life for her country.
Get
To succeed in communicating with, as by telephone
Can't get me at the office until nine.
Give
To devote or apply completely
Gives herself to her work.
Get
To become affected with (an illness, for example) by infection or exposure; catch
Get the flu.
Got the mumps.
Give
To furnish or contribute
Gave their time to help others.
Get
To be subjected to; undergo
Got a severe concussion.
Give
To offer in good faith; pledge
Give me your word.
Get
To receive as retribution or punishment
Got six years in prison for tax fraud.
Give
To allot as a portion or share.
Get
To sustain a specified injury to
Got my arm broken.
Give
To bestow (a name, for example).
Get
To perceive or become aware of by one of the senses
Get a whiff of perfume.
Got a look at the schedule.
Give
To attribute (blame, for example) to someone; assign.
Get
To gain or have understanding of
Do you get this question?.
Give
To award as due
Gave us first prize.
Get
To learn (a poem, for example) by heart; memorize.
Give
To emit or utter
Gave a groan.
Gave a muted response.
Get
To find or reach by calculating
Get a total.
Can't get the answer.
Give
To submit for consideration, acceptance, or use
Give an opinion.
Give an excuse.
Get
To procreate; beget
“Is my life given me for nothing but to get children and work to bring them up?” (D.H. Lawrence).
Give
To proffer to another
Gave the toddler my hand.
Get
To cause to become or be in a specified state or condition
Got the children tired and cross.
Got the shirt clean.
Give
To perform for an audience
Give a recital.
Get
To make ready; prepare
Get lunch for the family.
Give
To present to view
Gave the sign to begin.
Get
To cause to come or go
Got the car through traffic.
Give
To offer as entertainment
Give a dinner party.
Get
To cause to move or leave
Get me out of here!.
Give
To propose as a toast.
Get
To cause to undertake or perform; prevail on
Got the guide to give us the complete tour.
Give
To be a source of; afford
His remark gave offense. Music gives her pleasure.
Get
To take, especially by force; seize
The detective got the suspect as he left the restaurant.
Give
To cause to catch or be subject to (a disease or bodily condition)
The draft gave me a cold.
Get
(Informal) To overcome or destroy
The ice storm got the rose bushes.
Give
To guide or direct, as by persuasion or behavior. Used with an infinitive phrase
You gave me to imagine you approved of my report.
Get
To evoke an emotional response or reaction in
Romantic music really gets me.
Give
To yield or produce
Cows give milk.
Get
To annoy or irritate
What got me was his utter lack of initiative.
Give
To bring forth or bear
Trees that give fruit.
Get
To present a difficult problem to; puzzle
“It's the suspect's indifference that gets me,” the detective said.
Give
To produce as a result of calculation
5 × 12 gives 60.
Get
(Informal) To hit or strike
She got him on the chin. The bullet got him in the arm.
Give
To manifest or show
Gives promise of brilliance.
Gave evidence of tampering.
Get
(Baseball) To put out or strike out
Got the batter with a cut fastball.
Give
To carry out (a physical movement)
Give a wink.
Give a start.
Get
To begin or start. Used with the present participle
I have to get working on this or I'll miss my deadline.
Give
To permit one to have or take
Gave us an hour to finish.
Get
To have current possession of. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present
We've got plenty of cash.
Give
To take an interest to the extent of
"My dear, I don't give a damn" (Margaret Mitchell).
Get
(Nonstandard) To have current possession of. Used in the past tense form with the meaning of the present
They got a nice house in town.
Give
To make gifts or donations
Gives generously to charity.
Get
To have as an obligation. Used in the present perfect form with the meaning of the present
I have got to leave early. You've got to do the dishes.
Give
To yield to physical force
The sail gave during the storm.
Get
(Nonstandard) To have as an obligation. Used in the past tense with the meaning of the present
They got to clean up this mess.
Give
To collapse from force or pressure
The roof gave under the weight of the snow.
Get
To become or grow to be
Eventually got well.
Give
To yield to change
Both sides will have to give on some issues.
Get
To be successful in coming or going
When will we get to Dallas?.
Give
To afford access or a view; open
The doors give onto a terrace.
Get
To be able or permitted
Never got to see Europe.
Finally got to work at home.
Give
(Slang) To be in progress; happen
What gives?.
Get
To be successful in becoming
Get free of a drug problem.
Give
Capacity or inclination to yield under pressure.
Get
Used with the past participle of transitive verbs as a passive voice auxiliary
Got stung by a bee.
Give
The quality or condition of resilience; springiness
"Fruits that have some give ... will have more juice than hard ones" (Elizabeth Schneider).
Get
To become drawn in, entangled, or involved
Got into debt.
Get into a hassle.
Give
(ditransitive) To move, shift, provide something abstract or concrete to someone or something or somewhere.
Get
(Informal) To depart immediately
Yelled at the dog to get.
Give
To transfer one's possession or holding of (something) to (someone).
I gave him my coat.
I gave my coat to the beggar.
When they asked, I gave my coat.
Get
To work for gain or profit; make money
Do you feel as though you're exhausting yourself getting and not making enough for spending?.
Give
To make a present or gift of.
I'm going to give my wife a necklace for her birthday.
She gave a pair of shoes to her husband for their anniversary.
He gives of his energies to the organization.
Get
Progeny; offspring
A thoroughbred's get.
Give
To pledge.
I gave him my word that I'd protect his children.
Get
Chiefly British Slang git2.
Give
To provide (something) to (someone), to allow or afford.
I gave them permission to miss tomorrow's class.
Please give me some more time.
Get
(Sports) A return, as in tennis, on a shot that seems impossible to reach.
Give
To cause (a sensation or feeling) to exist in.
It gives me a lot of pleasure to be here tonight.
The fence gave me an electric shock.
My mother-in-law gives me nothing but grief.
Get
A document presented by a husband to his wife whereby a divorce is effected between them according to Jewish religious law.
Give
To carry out (a physical interaction) with (something).
I want to give you a kiss.
She gave him a hug.
I'd like to give the tire a kick.
I gave the boy a push on the swing.
She gave me a wink afterwards, so I knew she was joking.
Get
A divorce effected by a get.
Give
To pass (something) into (someone's hand, etc.).
Give me your hand.
On entering the house, he gave his coat to the doorman.
Get
(ditransitive) To obtain; to acquire.
I'm going to get a computer tomorrow from the discount store.
Lance is going to get Mary a ring.
Give
To cause (a disease or condition) in, or to transmit (a disease or condition) to.
My boyfriend gave me chlamydia.
He was convinced that it was his alcoholism that gave him cancer.
Get
(transitive) To receive.
I got a computer from my parents for my birthday.
You need to get permission to leave early.
He got a severe reprimand for that.
Give
(transitive) To provide, as, a service or a broadcast.
They're giving my favorite show!
Get
To have. See usage notes.
I've got a concert ticket for you.
Give
(ditransitive) To estimate or predict (a duration or probability) for (something).
I give it ten minutes before he gives up.
I give it a 95% chance of success.
I'll give their marriage six months.
Get
(transitive) To fetch, bring, take.
Can you get my bag from the living-room, please?
I need to get this to the office.
Give
(intransitive) To yield or collapse under pressure or force.
One pillar gave, then more, and suddenly the whole floor pancaked onto the floor below.
Get
(copulative) To become, or cause oneself to become.
I'm getting hungry; how about you?
I'm going out to get drunk.
Give
(intransitive) To lead (onto or into).
The master bedroom gives onto a spacious balcony.
Get
(transitive) To cause to become; to bring about.
That song gets me so depressed every time I hear it.
I'll get this finished by lunchtime.
I can't get these boots off (or on).
Give
To provide a view of.
His window gave the park.
Get
(transitive) To cause to do.
Somehow she got him to agree to it.
I can't get it to work.
Give
To exhibit as a product or result; to produce; to yield.
The number of men, divided by the number of ships, gives four hundred to each ship.
Get
(transitive) To cause to come or go or move.
I got him to his room.
Give
To cause; to make; used with the infinitive.
Get
To adopt, assume, arrive at, or progress towards (a certain position, location, state).
The actors are getting into position.
When are we going to get to London?
I'm getting into a muddle.
We got behind the wall.
Give
To cause (someone) to have; produce in (someone); effectuate.
Get
(transitive) To cover (a certain distance) while travelling.
To get a mile
Give
To allow or admit by way of supposition; to concede.
He can be bad-tempered, I'll give you that, but he's a hard worker.
Get
(intransitive) To begin (doing something or to do something).
We ought to get moving or we'll be late.
After lunch we got chatting.
I'm getting to like him better now.
Give
To attribute; to assign; to adjudge.
Get
(transitive) To take or catch (a scheduled transportation service).
I normally get the 7:45 train.
I'll get the 9 a.m. [flight] to Boston.
Give
To communicate or announce (advice, tidings, etc.); to pronounce or utter (an opinion, a judgment, a shout, etc.).
The umpire finally gave his decision: the ball was out.
Get
(transitive) To respond to (a telephone call, a doorbell, etc).
Can you get that call, please? I'm busy.
Give
To grant power, permission, destiny, etc. (especially to a person); to allot; to allow.
Get
To be able, be permitted, or have the opportunity (to do something desirable or ironically implied to be desirable).
I'm so jealous that you got to see them perform live!
The finders get to keep 80 percent of the treasure.
Great. I get to clean the toilets today.
Give
(reflexive) To devote or apply (oneself).
The soldiers give themselves to plunder.
That boy is given to fits of bad temper.
Get
To be told; be the recipient of (a question, comparison, opinion, etc.).
"You look just like Helen Mirren." / "I get that a lot."
Give
(obsolete) To become soft or moist.
Get
(informal) To be. Used to form the passive of verbs.
He got bitten by a dog.
Give
(obsolete) To shed tears; to weep.
Get
(transitive) To become ill with or catch (a disease).
I went on holiday and got malaria.
Give
(obsolete) To have a misgiving.
Get
To catch out, trick successfully.
He keeps calling pretending to be my boss—it gets me every time.
Give
(slang) To be going on, to be occurring; what gives?
Your outfit is giving!
Get
To perplex, stump.
That question's really got me.
Give
The amount of bending that something undergoes when a force is applied to it; a tendency to yield under pressure; resilence.
This chair doesn't have much give.
There is no give in his dogmatic religious beliefs.
Get
(transitive) To find as an answer.
What did you get for question four?
Give
To bestow without receiving a return; to confer without compensation; to impart, as a possession; to grant, as authority or permission; to yield up or allow.
For generous lords had rather give than pay.
Get
To bring to reckoning; to catch (as a criminal); to effect retribution.
The cops finally got me.
I'm gonna get him for that.
Give
To yield possesion of; to deliver over, as property, in exchange for something; to pay; as, we give the value of what we buy.
What shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?
Get
(transitive) To hear completely; catch.
Sorry, I didn't get that. Could you repeat it?
Give
To yield; to furnish; to produce; to emit; as, flint and steel give sparks.
Get
(transitive) To getter.
I put the getter into the container to get the gases.
Give
To communicate or announce, as advice, tidings, etc.; to pronounce; to render or utter, as an opinion, a judgment, a sentence, a shout, etc.
Get
To beget (of a father).
Give
To grant power or license to; to permit; to allow; to license; to commission.
It is given me once again to behold my friend.
Then give thy friend to shed the sacred wine.
Get
(archaic) To learn; to commit to memory; to memorize; sometimes with out.
To get a lesson;
To get out one's Greek lesson
Give
To exhibit as a product or result; to produce; to show; as, the number of men, divided by the number of ships, gives four hundred to each ship.
Get
Used with a personal pronoun to indicate that someone is being pretentious or grandiose.
Get her with her new hairdo.
Give
To devote; to apply; used reflexively, to devote or apply one's self; as, the soldiers give themselves to plunder; also in this sense used very frequently in the past participle; as, the people are given to luxury and pleasure; the youth is given to study.
Get
To go, to leave; to scram.
Give
To set forth as a known quantity or a known relation, or as a premise from which to reason; - used principally in the passive form given.
Get
To make acquisitions; to gain; to profit.
Give
To allow or admit by way of supposition.
I give not heaven for lost.
Get
(transitive) To measure.
Did you get her temperature?
Give
To attribute; to assign; to adjudge.
I don't wonder at people's giving him to me as a lover.
Get
(dated) Offspring.
Give
To excite or cause to exist, as a sensation; as, to give offense; to give pleasure or pain.
Get
Lineage.
Give
To pledge; as, to give one's word.
Get
A difficult return or block of a shot.
Give
To cause; to make; - with the infinitive; as, to give one to understand, to know, etc.
But there the duke was given to understandThat in a gondola were seen togetherLorenzo and his amorous Jessica.
Get
(informal) Something gained; an acquisition.
Give
To afford a view of; as, his window gave the park.
Whatsoever we employ in charitable uses during our lives, is given away from ourselves.
I fear our ears have given us the bag.
One that gives out himself Prince Florizel.
Give out you are of Epidamnum.
The Babylonians had given themselves over to all manner of vice.
He has . . . given upFor certain drops of salt, your city Rome.
I'll not state themBy giving up their characters.
Get
A git.
Give
To give a gift or gifts.
Get
(Judaism) A Jewish writ of divorce.
Give
To yield to force or pressure; to relax; to become less rigid; as, the earth gives under the feet.
Get
Jet, the mineral.
Give
To become soft or moist.
Get
Fashion; manner; custom.
Give
To move; to recede.
Now back he gives, then rushes on amain.
Get
Artifice; contrivance.
Give
To shed tears; to weep.
Whose eyes do never giveBut through lust and laughter.
Get
Offspring; progeny; as, the get of a stallion.
Give
To have a misgiving.
My mind gives ye're reservedTo rob poor market women.
Get
A divorce granted by a Rabbi in accordance with Jewish law; also, the document attesting to the divorce.
Give
To open; to lead.
This, yielding, gave into a grassy walk.
They gave back and came no farther.
The Scots battalion was enforced to give in.
This consideration may induce a translator to give in to those general phrases.
Rooms which gave upon a pillared porch.
The gloomy staircase on which the grating gave.
It would be well for all authors, if they knew when to give over, and to desist from any further pursuits after fame.
Get
To procure; to obtain; to gain possession of; to acquire; to earn; to obtain as a price or reward; to come by; to win, by almost any means; as, to get favor by kindness; to get wealth by industry and economy; to get land by purchase, etc.
Give
The elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
Get
Hence, with have and had, to come into or be in possession of; to have.
Thou hast got the face of man.
Give
Cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense;
She gave him a black eye
The draft gave me a cold
Get
To beget; to procreate; to generate.
I had rather to adopt a child than get it.
Give
Be the cause or source of;
He gave me a lot of trouble
Our meeting afforded much interesting information
Get
To obtain mental possession of; to learn; to commit to memory; to memorize; as to get a lesson; also with out; as, to get out one's Greek lesson.
It being harder with him to get one sermon by heart, than to pen twenty.
Give
Transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody;
I gave her my money
Can you give me lessons?
She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care
Get
To prevail on; to induce; to persuade.
Get him to say his prayers.
Give
Convey or reveal information;
Give one's name
Get
To procure to be, or to cause to be in any state or condition; - with a following participle.
Those things I bid you do; get them dispatched.
Give
Convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow;
Don't pay him any mind
Give the orders
Give him my best regards
Pay attention
Get
To betake; to remove; - in a reflexive use.
Get thee out from this land.
He . . . got himself . . . to the strong town of Mega.
Give
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
Get
To make acquisition; to gain; to profit; to receive accessions; to be increased.
We mourn, France smiles; we lose, they daily get.
Give
Convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture;
Throw a glance
She gave me a dirty look
Get
To arrive at, or bring one's self into, a state, condition, or position; to come to be; to become; - with a following adjective or past participle belonging to the subject of the verb; as, to get sober; to get awake; to get beaten; to get elected.
To get rid of fools and scoundrels.
His chariot wheels get hot by driving fast.
Give
Give as a present; make a gift of;
What will you give her for her birthday?
Get
Come into the possession of something concrete or abstract;
She got a lot of paintings from her uncle
They acquired a new pet
Get your results the next day
Get permission to take a few days off from work
Give
Bring about;
His two singles gave the team the victory
Get
Enter or assume a certain state or condition;
He became annoyed when he heard the bad news
It must be getting more serious
Her face went red with anger
She went into ecstasy
Get going!
Give
Dedicate;
Give thought to
Give priority to
Pay attention to
Get
Cause to move; cause to be in a certain position or condition;
He got his squad on the ball
This let me in for a big surprise
He got a girl into trouble
Give
Give or supply;
The cow brings in 5 liters of milk
This year's crop yielded 1,000 bushels of corn
The estate renders some revenue for the family
Get
Receive a specified treatment (abstract);
These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
His movie received a good review
I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
Give
Tell or deposit (information) knowledge;
Give a secret to the Russians
Leave your name and address here
Get
Reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress;
She arrived home at 7 o'clock
She didn't get to Chicago until after midnight
Give
Bring about;
The trompe l'oeil-illusion establishes depth
Get
Go or come after and bring or take back;
Get me those books over there, please
Could you bring the wine?
The dog fetched the hat
Give
Leave with; give temporarily;
Can I give you my keys while I go in the pool?
Can I give you the children for the weekend?
Get
Of mental or physical states or experiences;
Get an idea
Experience vertigo
Get nauseous
Undergo a strange sensation
The chemical undergoes a sudden change
The fluid undergoes shear
Receive injuries
Have a feeling
Give
Emit or utter;
Give a gulp
Give a yelp
Get
Take vengeance on or get even;
We'll get them!
That'll fix him good!
This time I got him
Give
Endure the loss of;
He gave his life for his children
I gave two sons to the war
Get
Achieve a point or goal;
Nicklaus had a 70
The Brazilian team got 4 goals
She made 29 points that day
Give
Place into the hands or custody of;
Hand me the spoon, please
Turn the files over to me, please
He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers
Get
Cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner;
The ads induced me to buy a VCR
My children finally got me to buy a computer
My wife made me buy a new sofa
Give
Give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;
She committed herself to the work of God
Give one's talents to a good cause
Consecrate your life to the church
Get
Succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase;
We finally got the suspect
Did you catch the thief?
Give
Give (as medicine);
I gave him the drug
Get
Come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes);
He grew a beard
The patient developed abdominal pains
I got funny spots all over my body
Well-developed breasts
Give
Give or convey physically;
She gave him First Aid
I gave him a punch in the nose
Get
Be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness;
He got AIDS
She came down with pneumonia
She took a chill
Give
Bestow;
Give hommage
Render thanks
Get
Communicate with a place or person; establish communication with, as if by telephone;
Bill called this number and he got Mary
The operator couldn't get Kobe because of the earthquake
Give
Bestow, especially officially;
Grant a degree
Give a divorce
This bill grants us new rights
Get
Give certain properties to something;
Get someone mad
She made us look silly
He made a fool of himself at the meeting
Don't make this into a big deal
This invention will make you a millionaire
Make yourself clear
Give
Move in order to make room for someone for something;
The park gave way to a supermarket
`Move over,' he told the crowd
Get
Move into a desired direction of discourse;
What are you driving at?
Give
Give food to;
Feed the starving children in India
Don't give the child this tough meat
Get
Grasp with the mind or develop an undersatnding of;
Did you catch that allusion?
We caught something of his theory in the lecture
Don't catch your meaning
Did you get it?
She didn't get the joke
I just don't get him
Give
Contribute to some cause;
I gave at the office
Get
Attract and fix;
His look caught her
She caught his eye
Catch the attention of the waiter
Give
Break down, literally or metaphorically;
The wall collapsed
The business collapsed
The dam broke
The roof collapsed
The wall gave in
The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
Get
Reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot;
The rock caught her in the back of the head
The blow got him in the back
The punch caught him in the stomach
Give
Estimate the duration or outcome of something;
He gave the patient three months to live
I gave him a very good chance at success
Get
Reach by calculation;
What do you get when you add up these numbers?
Give
Execute and deliver;
Give bond
Get
Acquire as a result of some effort or action;
You cannot get water out of a stone
Where did she get these news?
Give
Deliver in exchange or recompense;
I'll give you three books for four CDs
Get
Purchase;
What did you get at the toy store?
Give
Afford access to;
The door opens to the patio
The French doors give onto a terrace
Get
Perceive by hearing;
I didn't catch your name
She didn't get his name when they met the first time
Give
Present to view;
He gave the sign to start
Get
Suffer from the receipt of;
She will catch hell for this behavior!
Give
Perform for an audience;
Pollini is giving another concert in New York
Get
Receive as a retribution or punishment;
He got 5 years in prison
Give
Be flexible under stress of physical force;
This material doesn't give
Get
Leave immediately; used usually in the imperative form;
Scram!
Give
Propose;
He gave the first of many toasts at the birthday party
Get
Reach and board;
She got the bus just as it was leaving
Give
Legal use: accord by verdict;
Give a decision for the plaintiff
Get
Irritate;
Her childish behavior really get to me
His lying really gets me
Give
Manifest or show;
This student gives promise of real creativity
The office gave evidence of tampering
Get
Evoke an emotional response;
Brahms's `Requiem' gets me every time
Give
Offer in good faith;
He gave her his word
Get
Apprehend and reproduce accurately;
She really caught the spirit of the place in her drawings
She got the mood just right in her photographs
Give
Submit for consideration, judgment, or use;
Give one's opinion
Give an excuse
Get
In baseball: earn or achieve a base by being walked by the pitcher;
He drew a base on balls
Give
Guide or direct, as by behavior of persuasion;
You gave me to think that you agreed with me
Get
Overcome or destroy;
The ice storm got my hibiscus
The cat got the goldfish
Give
Allow to have or take;
I give you two minutes to respond
Get
Be a mystery or bewildering to;
This beats me!
Got me--I don't know the answer!
A vexing problem
This question really stuck me
Give
Inflict as a punishment;
She gave the boy a good spanking
The judge gave me 10 years
Get
Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action;
We began working at dawn
Who will start?
Get working as soon as the sun rises!
The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia
He began early in the day
Let's get down to work now
Give
Occur;
What gives?
Get
Undergo (as of injuries and illnesses);
She suffered a fracture in the accident
He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars
She got a bruise on her leg
He got his arm broken in the scuffle
Give
Proffer (a body part);
She gave her hand to her little sister
Get
Make children;
Abraham begot Isaac
Men often father children but don't recognize them
Common Curiosities
Is get always a selfish action?
Not necessarily. While get focuses on acquisition for oneself, it can also mean understanding or achieving something beneficial in a broader sense.
How can one use give in a sentence?
"I plan to give my old laptop to someone who needs it."
Do get and give always imply physical actions?
No, both can imply intangible actions, such as getting an idea (understanding) or giving advice.
Can give be used to indicate a loss?
Yes, in contexts like giving up or giving in, it signifies a relinquishment or concession, which can be perceived as a loss.
How do get and give relate in transactions?
In transactions, one party gets (receives) goods or services, while the other gives (provides) them.
Can get imply effort?
Yes, getting something often implies an effort towards acquisition, like getting a degree.
Can the meaning of get and give change in idiomatic expressions?
Yes, idiomatic expressions can significantly alter the meanings, making them context-dependent.
What does it mean to get something?
To get something means to acquire, receive, or become the owner or recipient of that item or information.
Does give always require generosity?
While give often implies generosity, it can also be used in contexts requiring or implying obligation or duty.
How do get and give function in social relationships?
They signify reciprocal actions where getting might mean receiving support, and giving involves offering support.
Can get and give be used in abstract contexts?
Absolutely. Both can be used abstractly, such as getting an idea (understanding) or giving someone hope.
Is it possible to both get and give in the same action?
Yes, in some interactions, one party gets something while simultaneously giving something else, like in trade.
Are there situations where get and give are used together?
Yes, for example, "I'll give you my notes if you can get me a coffee."
Can get and give be synonymous in any context?
In some contexts, they might seem interchangeable, especially in informal barter situations, but generally, they maintain distinct meanings focusing on receiving versus providing.
How do get and give relate to power dynamics?
Giving can imply a position of power or abundance, able to provide or bestow, whereas getting might suggest dependence or need.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
