get to know

Meaning

This expression means to spend time with someone or something in order to gradually learn more about them. It describes the process of becoming familiar with a person's character, a place, or a subject over time.

Examples

• It takes time to get to know someone before you can fully trust them.

  It takes time to get to know someone before you can fully trust them.

• I'm really enjoying getting to know my new coworkers.

  I'm really enjoying getting to know my new coworkers.

• We sat in the cafe for hours, just getting to know each other.

  We sat in the cafe for hours, just getting to know each other.

• You should get to know the city before you decide to buy a house here.

  You should get to know the city before you decide to buy a house here.

• Once you get to know him, you'll realize he's actually very friendly.

  Once you get to know him, you'll realize he's actually very friendly.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to know your sister better this weekend.

  ✓ I want to get to know your sister better this weekend.

  'Know' describes a state of already having information. 'Get to know' describes the dynamic process of becoming familiar.

• ✗ It was great to get to know to you.

  ✓ It was great to get to know you.

  Do not put the preposition 'to' after 'know'. The structure is 'get to know [someone]'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We went on a few dates to ___ each other better.

  💡 Become familiar with

  Show answer

  get to know

• It's hard to ___ a person just by looking at their social media.

  💡 Learn about someone's character

  Show answer

  get to know