get the message across

Meaning

This expression means to successfully communicate an idea, opinion, or information so that other people understand it clearly. It is often used when there is a barrier to communication, such as a language difference, a complex topic, or an unreceptive audience. The focus is on the success of the delivery and comprehension.

Examples

• We need to simplify this presentation to get the message across to the investors.

  We need to simplify this presentation to get the message across to the investors.

• She used a lot of visual aids to get her message across during the training session.

  She used a lot of visual aids to get her message across during the training session.

• I'm not sure I managed to get the message across in my email, as they still seem confused.

  I'm not sure I managed to get the message across in my email, as they still seem confused.

• The marketing team is struggling to get the message across that our product is eco-friendly.

  The marketing team is struggling to get the message across that our product is eco-friendly.

• It can be hard to get your message across when you're speaking to a large, distracted audience.

  It can be hard to get your message across when you're speaking to a large, distracted audience.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to get across my message to the team.

  ✓ I need to get my message across to the team.

  While 'get across [an idea]' is grammatically correct, when using the full phrase 'get the message across', the noun 'message' or a possessive pronoun almost always splits the phrasal verb.

• ✗ The manager got the message across us.

  ✓ The manager got the message across to us.

  You need the preposition 'to' to indicate the recipient of the communication.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The graphics in the report really helped to ___ to the board.

  💡 make the main idea clear and understood

  Show answer

  get the message across

• If you want to ___, you should keep your presentation short and sweet.

  💡 successfully communicate your idea

  Show answer

  get your message across