To start feeling better after something bad, such as an illness, disappointment, or a difficult experience.
It took her a few weeks to get over the flu.
A: Are you still upset about the exam? B: Not really, I think I'm starting to get over it.
After my team lost the final, it was hard, but I managed to get over it by focusing on my studies.
Common mistake
✗It took months to get over from the breakup.
✓It took months to get over the breakup.
'Get over' takes the thing directly — no 'from'.
Tell it apart
She's finally getting over the flu.
recovering from it
Let's get on with the meeting.
continue / proceed
Use 'get over' when talking about moving past a problem, illness, or sad feeling. It is not used for physical movement.Not the same as 'get by' (which means to manage or survive).
To come to terms with or accept a difficult fact, idea, or situation, especially when it is surprising or hard to believe.
I just can't get over how quickly she solved that complex problem.
A: Did you hear that Mark is moving to Japan next month? B: I know, I can't get over it. It was so sudden.
Many people find it hard to get over the fact that technology is changing traditional jobs at such a rapid pace.
Common mistake
✗I can't get over of how big it is.
✓I can't get over how big it is.
'Get over' takes the clause directly — no 'of'.
Tell it apart
I can't get over how tall he's got!
can't quite believe it
He's finally getting over the flu.
recovering from it
Use this sense when talking about accepting something surprising, shocking, or difficult to believe, not about recovering from illness or emotional pain. It is neutral in register and common in both spoken and written English.Unlike the B1 sense of 'get over' (recovering from illness or disappointment), this sense is about mentally processing and accepting a fact or situation, not about emotional or physical recovery.