get across
Communicate an idea clearly
Littéralement: To move something from one side to the other
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
In American business culture, 'getting to the point' and 'getting it across' quickly is seen as a sign of competence. Time is money, so clarity is king. Directly 'getting a point across' can sometimes be seen as rude or too forceful. People often use 'ishin-denshin' (heart-to-heart communication) where things are understood without being explicitly said. The British often use understatement. 'Getting it across' might involve a lot of 'perhaps' and 'maybe', even if the point is very serious. Israeli culture (Dugri) values extreme directness. 'Getting it across' is usually done very bluntly and honestly, with little concern for 'saving face'.
Use 'it' in the middle
90% of the time, you will say 'get it across'. Practice this specific rhythm until it feels natural.
Don't forget 'to'
If you mention the person, you MUST say 'get it across TO them'. Without 'to', it sounds like you are physically moving the person.
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'.
Use 'it' in the middle
90% of the time, you will say 'get it across'. Practice this specific rhythm until it feels natural.
Don't forget 'to'
If you mention the person, you MUST say 'get it across TO them'. Without 'to', it sounds like you are physically moving the person.
Visuals help
When using this phrase, you can often pair it with words like 'diagrams', 'examples', or 'metaphors' to show HOW you are getting the point across.
Directness varies
Remember that in some cultures, 'getting the point across' too clearly can be seen as lacking 'social grace'.
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
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'get across'. Remember the word order for pronouns!
I have a great idea for the party, but I don't know how to ______ to the committee.
The pronoun 'it' must go between 'get' and 'across'.
Which sentence uses 'get across' correctly in a professional context?
Choose the best sentence:
This correctly uses the figurative meaning of communicating a policy.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'I've explained the rules three times, but they still don't understand.' B: 'Maybe you should try using a diagram to ______.'
'Them' refers to the rules. Pronouns go in the middle.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Match: 'I really need to get across how much I appreciate your help.'
The sentence is about communicating gratitude.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesI have a great idea for the party, but I don't know how to ______ to the committee.
The pronoun 'it' must go between 'get' and 'across'.
Choose the best sentence:
This correctly uses the figurative meaning of communicating a policy.
A: 'I've explained the rules three times, but they still don't understand.' B: 'Maybe you should try using a diagram to ______.'
'Them' refers to the rules. Pronouns go in the middle.
Match: 'I really need to get across how much I appreciate your help.'
The sentence is about communicating gratitude.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it in a business report or a chat with a friend.
Yes, but 'get my point across' is more common in spoken English.
'Convey' is more formal and often used in writing. 'Get across' is more common in speech.
Yes, like 'getting across a river', but the figurative use for ideas is very frequent.
In the US, the past participle is 'gotten across'. In the UK, it is 'got across'.
Absolutely. 'He got his anger across without shouting.'
Yes, it is a transitive, separable phrasal verb.
This means to be understood by that person. 'I can't get across to him' means 'He doesn't understand me.'
There isn't one single word, but 'fail to communicate' or 'misunderstand' are the opposite results.
Yes, that is perfectly correct.
Expressions liées
put across
similarTo express your ideas and opinions clearly so that people understand them.
come across
contrastTo be perceived in a certain way by others.
get through to
similarTo succeed in making someone understand or believe something.
drive home
specialized formTo emphasize a point so strongly that it cannot be ignored.
spell out
similarTo explain something in a very clear and detailed way.
