To make someone feel sad, disappointed, or less happy.
Rainy weather always gets me down.
A: You seem a bit quiet today. Everything okay? B: Yeah, just the exam results got me down.
Sometimes, too much stress at work can really get people down and affect their motivation.
Common mistake
✗Don't let it get down you.
✓Don't let it get you down.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'get you down'.
Tell it apart
All this rain is getting me down.
making me sad
Let's get down to work.
start focusing on it
Use this when talking about things that cause negative feelings, not about calming someone.Not to be confused with 'get down to' (start doing something seriously).
To write something on paper or type it so you don't forget.
I need to get your phone number down before I forget.
A: Wait, can you repeat that address? B: Sure, let me say it slowly so you can get it down.
During lectures, it's important to get down the main points so you can review them later.
Common mistake
✗Did you get down it?
✓Did you get it down?
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'get it down'.
Tell it apart
Quick, get the number down before you forget.
write it down
Let's get down to the figures.
start focusing on them
This is often used when you want to quickly note something important.Different from 'get down to' (start doing something seriously) or 'get down' (make sad).
To dance energetically or enjoy oneself enthusiastically, especially at a party or social event; to let loose and have fun (informal, often used in reference to music or dancing).
Everyone was really getting down on the dance floor when the DJ played that old-school track.
A: How was the party last night? B: Amazing! We really got down and danced until 3 a.m.
While some people prefer quiet gatherings, others love to get down at lively parties, enjoying the music and atmosphere to the fullest.
Common mistake
✗Let's get down ourselves at the club.
✓Let's get down at the club.
'Get down' (this sense) is intransitive — no reflexive.
Tell it apart
They were really getting down at the party.
dancing / having fun
They got down to work after lunch.
started focusing
'Get down' in this sense is informal and typically used when talking about parties, dancing, or having a good time. It is not suitable for formal writing or professional situations.Unlike the B1 sense ('make someone sad') and the B2 sense ('write down'), this sense is a slang expression meaning to have fun, especially by dancing. It does not relate to sadness or recording information.