get back to work

Meaning

To return to one's job, duties, or tasks after a break, interruption, or period of rest. It can be used as a self-reminder, a polite suggestion to colleagues, or a direct command from a supervisor.

Examples

• Lunch is over, so we need to get back to work.

  Lunch is over, so we need to get back to work.

• After the fire alarm went off, it took us a while to get back to work.

  After the fire alarm went off, it took us a while to get back to work.

• I should stop checking my phone and get back to work.

  I should stop checking my phone and get back to work.

• The manager told everyone to get back to work after the meeting ended.

  The manager told everyone to get back to work after the meeting ended.

• Let's finish this coffee and get back to work.

  Let's finish this coffee and get back to work.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ After the break, I must return back to work.

  ✓ After the break, I must get back to work.

  'Return back' is redundant because 'return' already means to go back. Use 'get back to work' or 'return to work' instead.

• ✗ It is time to get back to the work.

  ✓ It is time to get back to work.

  In this context, 'work' is an uncountable noun referring to the general activity of working, so the definite article 'the' is not used.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The break is finished, let's ___.

  💡 Return to our duties.

  Show answer

  get back to work

• I need to stop chatting and ___ before the boss sees me.

  💡 Resume my job activities.

  Show answer

  get back to work