The phrasal verb "get down" is predominantly used in informal speech and is versatile with a broad range of meanings and contexts. It can convey physical movement, such as "to get down from a high place," like climbing off a horse or coming downstairs. It also has emotional and mental connotations, such as feeling depressed or unhappy, exemplified by the sentence, "Don't let the news get you down." Additionally, "get down" can refer to starting to do something earnestly, like "Let's get down to work," and in more informal settings, it's often associated with dancing or enjoying oneself vigorously, as in "Let's get down to the music." In creative or artistic contexts, it might also mean to write down or record one's thoughts or ideas, such as "I need to get this melody down before I forget it." While it's generally informal, "get down" is widely understood and accepted across various settings for its clarity in conveying the completion or initiation of actions, feelings, and other dynamic expressions.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To move into a lower position or kneel down.
She asked her son to get down from the table before he hurt himself.
I had to get down on my knees to find the earring under the bed.
2. To focus seriously on a task or work.
Let's get down to business and discuss the proposal.
We need to get down to solving these problems before the deadline.
3. To enjoy oneself, especially by dancing.
The DJ played a great set and everyone was getting down on the dance floor.