English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Get to know
Meaning
The idiom "get to know someone" means to become familiar with or acquainted with a person, place, thing or situation. It refers to the process of learning about someone's personality, character, habits, interests, etc., usually through social interaction and communication.
Usage
- I've been getting to know my new colleague over the past few weeks, and we're already having a lot of fun together.
- When you move to a new city, it can take some time to get to know the place and find your footing.
- My friend introduced me to her favorite band last night, and I'm excited to get to know their music more.
- As a parent, it's important to get to know your child's teacher and build a strong relationship with them.
- The city has so much history and culture, but it can take some time to get to know all of its hidden gems. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used in both formal and informal settings, and it can refer to different types of relationships or situations. For example, "get to know" can be used to describe getting to know a romantic partner, a friend, a coworker, a new city, a hobby, etc.
Roots and History
The idiom "get to know someone" has been in use for centuries. The earliest known use of this idiom dates back to the 16th century, where it was first recorded in English literature. Over time, the meaning and usage of this idiom have evolved, but its core concept remains the same - to become familiar with or acquainted with something or someone.
Synonyms in English
- Get to know: Become familiar with, learn about, understand
- Acquire knowledge: Gain knowledge, obtain information
- Discover: Find out, uncover, learn about
- Understand: Comprehend, grasp, realize
- Experience: Feel, encounter, live through
Synonyms in other languages
- Spanish: Conocerse, conocer, saber
- French: Se connaître, se rencontrer, découvrir
- German: Kennenlernen, Erkennen, Wissen
- Italian: Saperne, conoscere, conoscerlo
- Mandarin: 了解 (liú xiàn), 了解到 (lǐ dào)