GET OVER IT or GET IT OVER WITH - What is the difference between these English Phrasal Verbs?

Here is Audio Word Study #109 by Jane Lawson at DailyStep.com


GET OVER IT or GET IT OVER WITH ?

We all know how it feels to have a problem, a sad or difficult experience, an illness, or just a task that we don’t enjoy. We want to reach the stage where it is behind us, in the past, rather than in front of us, in the future.  Take a look at my picture. As you can see, I am a great artist! 

In this picture, the big blue it is the experience, problem, illness or unpleasant task. When it is in the future, we feel sad, worried or uncomfortable. When it is in the past, we feel happy and relieved that it is FINISHED. We are glad that it is OVER.

My picture shows the mental image that lies behind the phrasal verbs GET OVER IT and GET IT OVER WITH. All phrasal verbs in English start with a mental image, and once you know the image, you will not forget the phrasal verb!

Now let’s take a look at how to use these 2 phrasal verbs. Examples:

1. I had bad flu in the winter and it took me a long time to get over it. (= get over the flu)

2. His mother died last week. I don’t know if he will ever completely get over it. (= get over his mother’s death)


In both these sentences, GET OVER IT means recover from it. The phrasal verb GET OVER IT is not separable, so it does not mean the same thing if I say GET IT OVER. This has a different meaning! Look at these examples:

3. She is dreading her exam and just wants to get it over with. (note: we can also say ‘…just wants to get it over’)

4. We will have to tell him the bad news. Let’s just get it over with. (note: we can also say ‘Let’s just get it over.’)

In both these sentences, GET IT OVER WITH means do it so that you don’t have to worry about it any more. The phrasal verb GET IT OVER WITH must always be used in this exact structure. So you can’t say Get over it with, or Get with it over.

Now, try this quiz to test your understanding. The answers are at the bottom of this blog page.

1. How long will it take him to ____________ his divorce? 

2. There’s no point feeling so angry about his behaviour. Just ____________ and think about something else instead. 

3. I’m not looking forward to my job interview. I just want to ____________!

4. I know you don’t want to clean the house but the sooner you ____________ , the sooner you can relax.

OK, now go to the bottom of this blog to check the answers! After that, try to write some sentences using these phrasal verbs. Make sure they are true to your own life as this will help you to remember them better.