Understanding the Phrasal Verb "Get behind": Meanings and Usage
Are you looking to enhance your English fluency? Understanding phrasal verbs is key, and today we're diving into the versatile phrasal verb "get behind." This common phrase can mean to support someone or something, or it can describe falling behind in progress. By exploring its different meanings, structures, and practical examples, you'll gain a clearer understanding of how to use "get behind" confidently in your everyday English conversations. This post will cover its core definitions, how to structure sentences with it, related synonyms, and offer practice exercises to solidify your learning.
Table of Contents
- What Does Get behind Mean?
- Structure with Get behind
- Related Phrases and Synonyms
- Practice Time!
- Conclusion
What Does Get behind Mean?
The phrasal verb "get behind" is a fascinating and common expression in the English language, one that you'll frequently encounter in both spoken and written contexts. Its versatility means it can convey a couple of distinct core ideas. Most prominently, to "get behind" someone or something signifies offering your support, endorsement, or active backing for a person, an idea, a project, or a cause. It implies a positive stance, a willingness to stand with and encourage.
Alternatively, "get behind" can describe a less positive situation: falling behind schedule, failing to keep up with a required pace, or becoming overdue with tasks or payments. Recognizing which meaning is intended often depends heavily on the context of the sentence. Mastering both will certainly help you understand phrasal verbs more deeply and improve your overall communication skills.
More: Understanding the Phrasal Verb 'Fill in': Meanings & Usage
Structure with Get behind
The phrasal verb "get behind" is incredibly useful due to its distinct meanings. Let's break down how to structure sentences using it, which will help you integrate this English phrasal verb into your active vocabulary.
Meaning 1: To Give Support or Endorsement
When you want to express that you approve of, encourage, or will actively help someone or something, "get behind" is the perfect phrasal verb. This usage is very common and positive. Understanding how to structure sentences for this meaning will greatly enhance your ability to express agreement and solidarity. It's a key part of using English phrasal verbs effectively, and a great way to show you can get behind good ideas!
Structure A: Subject + get behind + [Noun Phrase (person, idea, plan, team, campaign, etc.)]
- This structure is used when the object of your support is a noun or noun phrase.
- Example 1: The entire city council decided to get behind the initiative to build more public parks. (Here, "the initiative..." is the noun phrase).
- Example 2: It's crucial for employees to get behind the new company policies for them to be successful. (Here, "the new company policies" is the noun phrase).
- Further explanation: Think of it as metaphorically standing behind someone to show you're with them. This can be moral support, financial backing, or active participation. When a community decides to get behind a local school, it means they are offering their full support.
Structure B: Subject + get behind + [Object Pronoun (him, her, it, them, us, you)]
- If the person or thing you are supporting has already been mentioned or is clear from context, you can use an object pronoun.
- Example 1: Sarah has some fantastic ideas for the project; I can definitely get behind them. ("Them" refers to Sarah's ideas).
- Example 2: He's facing a tough challenge, so it's important that we all get behind him. ("Him" refers to the person facing the challenge).
- Further explanation: This makes sentences more concise when the context is already established. Learning to use pronouns correctly with phrasal verbs like "get behind" contributes to smoother, more natural-sounding English.
More: Mastering 'File Away': A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Meaning 2: To Fail to Keep Pace or Become Overdue
The phrasal verb "get behind" also has a meaning related to falling back, lagging, or not maintaining a required schedule or level of performance. This is often used in contexts of work, studies, payments, or any situation where progress is tracked. Using "get behind" in this context helps describe delays or deficiencies.
Structure A: Subject + get behind + with + [Noun Phrase (work, payments, schedule, studies, chores, etc.)]
- The preposition "with" is commonly used to specify the area where one is falling behind.
- Example 1: After being ill for a week, she started to get behind with her university assignments. (Falling behind in the area of "her university assignments").
- Example 2: It's easy to get behind with your bill payments if you're not careful with your budget. (Becoming overdue in the area of "bill payments").
- Further explanation: This structure clearly indicates the task or responsibility that is not being met on time. It’s a common concern in many aspects of life, making this usage of "get behind" very practical. If you get behind with your tasks, it can cause stress.
Structure B: Subject + get behind + on + [Noun Phrase (work, payments, schedule, studies, etc.)]
- The preposition "on" can often be used interchangeably with "with" in this context, especially in American English, though "with" is generally more common.
- Example 1: I've really started to get behind on my reading for this course; there's so much material. (Falling behind in the area of "my reading").
- Example 2: The company warned that they might get behind on production targets due to supply chain issues. (Failing to meet "production targets").
- Further explanation: Whether you use "with" or "on," the core meaning of lagging or becoming overdue remains the same. Pay attention to common collocations to sound more natural.
More: Unlocking English: How to Figure Out Phrasal Verbs Like a Pro
Meaning 3: To Understand the Underlying Reasons or Motivations
While less frequent than the "support" or "fall behind" meanings, "get behind" can also be used to mean to understand the true or hidden reasons, causes, or motivations for a situation, statement, or behavior. It implies digging deeper than the surface level to fully get behind the issue.
- Structure: Subject + get behind + [Noun Phrase (the reasons, the truth, the thinking, the story, etc.)] (+ of/for + [Something])
- This usage often involves trying to uncover something that is not immediately obvious.
- Example 1: The investigative journalist worked tirelessly to get behind the official statements and uncover the real story. (Trying to understand the truth beyond the official version).
- Example 2: To truly address the issue, we need to get behind the complex factors contributing to it. (To understand the underlying causes).
- Further explanation: This meaning highlights the effort to gain a deeper comprehension. It's about more than just knowing facts; it's about understanding the "why." While you might not use this meaning of "get behind" daily, recognizing it will broaden your understanding of English phrasal verbs.
Related Phrases and Synonyms
Understanding synonyms and related phrases can significantly enrich your vocabulary and help you express nuances more effectively. Here are some words and phrases related to the different meanings of "get behind":
| Synonym | Related Meaning of "Get behind" | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support | Give approval/encouragement | To agree with and give encouragement to someone or something you want to succeed. | The whole town came out to support the local team. |
| Endorse | Give approval/encouragement | To make a public statement of your approval or support for something or someone. | Many influencers endorse sustainable brands. |
| Back (up) | Give approval/encouragement | To give help or support, often with resources or by confirming something. | If you decide to apply, I'll back you up. |
| Fall behind | Fail to keep pace | To fail to do something fast enough, make less progress, or be late. | She began to fall behind with her rent payments. |
| Lag (behind) | Fail to keep pace | To move or make progress more slowly than others or than expected. | The construction work is lagging behind schedule. |
Using these synonyms can make your English sound more varied and sophisticated. For instance, instead of always saying you "support" an idea, you could say you "endorse" it or will "back" it, depending on the context. Similarly, "lag behind" is a great alternative when talking about progress.
Practice Time!
Now it's time to test your understanding of "get behind"! Choose the best answer for each question.
Question 1: Which sentence best uses "get behind" to mean support? a) I need to get behind the sofa to find my keys.
b) The team will get behind if they don't practice more.
c) We should all get behind Sarah's proposal for the new park.
d) He started to get behind with his homework.
Correct answer: c
Question 2: "If you don't manage your time well, you might _______ with your project deadlines." Which phrase best completes the sentence? a) get behind
b) get over
c) get on
d) get away
Correct answer: a
Question 3: The phrase "to get behind with payments" means: a) To pay in advance.
b) To make payments on time.
c) To fail to make payments on time.
d) To understand the payment system.
Correct answer: c
Question 4: What is a synonym for "get behind" when it means to endorse an idea? a) Criticize
b) Oppose
c) Support
d) Ignore
Correct answer: c
How did you do? Reviewing the meanings and examples can help if any questions were tricky. Consistent practice is key to mastering phrasal verbs!
Conclusion
Learning phrasal verbs like "get behind" significantly boosts your ability to communicate naturally in English. By understanding its distinct meanings – to support, to fall behind in progress, or to understand underlying reasons – and practicing its various structures, you're well on your way to using it confidently. Keep practicing with these phrasal verb examples and incorporating "get behind" into your vocabulary to improve your overall English fluency. Consistent effort is key to mastering these essential components of the English language!