get into trouble

Meaning

To find oneself in a difficult, dangerous, or punishable situation because of one's actions. It is often used when someone breaks a rule or law and faces consequences from an authority figure, like a parent, teacher, or boss. It can also describe getting into physical danger or financial difficulty.

Examples

• If you don't hand in your homework on time, you'll get into trouble.

  If you don't hand in your homework on time, you'll get into trouble.

• He got into trouble with the police for driving without a license.

  He got into trouble with the police for driving without a license.

• I don't want to get into trouble, so I'm following all the instructions.

  I don't want to get into trouble, so I'm following all the instructions.

• The hikers got into trouble when a sudden blizzard hit the mountain.

  The hikers got into trouble when a sudden blizzard hit the mountain.

• She got into serious trouble at work for losing the client's files.

  She got into serious trouble at work for losing the client's files.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He got into a trouble with his boss.

  ✓ He got into trouble with his boss.

  The word 'trouble' is an uncountable noun in this context, so you should never use the indefinite article 'a' before it.

• ✗ I will get in trouble if I am late.

  ✓ I will get into trouble if I am late.

  While 'get in trouble' is common in informal spoken American English, 'get into trouble' is the standard, universally accepted form in all registers.

Related Expressions

Practice

• You will ___ if you keep skipping classes.

  💡 face negative consequences from authority

  Show answer

  get into trouble

• The swimmers ___ because of the strong current.

  💡 past tense of get into trouble

  Show answer

  got into trouble