get into
3 meanings
start to enjoy or become interested in something
What does "get into" mean in this sense?
Examples
- I've really got into cycling since I bought a new bike.
- She got into jazz after her friend played her a Miles Davis album.
- Are you getting into any new TV shows at the moment?
How to use it
The most common pattern — use it to say someone has started developing an interest in a hobby, sport, or type of entertainment.
I've really got into hiking since I moved to the countryside.
Pronouns work well here when the activity has already been mentioned — 'it' for a single activity or show, 'them' for a group like a band or podcasts.
My sister recommended that podcast and now I've totally got into it.
Use the present continuous to show that the interest is actively developing right now.
He's been getting into photography lately and just bought his first camera.
The past simple with a time expression is natural when explaining when or how the interest started.
She got into yoga after a particularly stressful few months at work.
Adverbs like 'really', 'recently', or 'lately' are very common with this phrasal verb and add emphasis to how enthusiastic or new the interest is.
We've recently got into board games and play every weekend now.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
This phrasal verb cannot be split — the object must always come after 'into', never between 'get' and 'into'.
'Get into' describes the process of becoming interested in something, while 'be into' describes a current state of interest. Use 'got into' when talking about when or how the interest started, and 'be into' when describing how you feel right now.
'Will get into' sounds unnatural when talking about planned interests. Use 'start getting into' or a different structure instead.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both speech and casual writing, but avoid it in formal essays. Note the difference between 'get into' (the process of becoming interested) and 'be into' (the state of already being interested): use 'I got into yoga last year' but 'I'm really into yoga now'.
become involved in a bad or difficult situation
Sense 2: What does "get into sth" mean?
Examples
- She got into serious debt after losing her job.
- How did you get into a fight with your neighbour?
- He's always getting into trouble — this is the third time this month.
How to use it
The most common pattern — the object after 'into' names the undesirable situation or state.
He got into debt after spending too much on his credit card.
Adding a reflexive pronoun ('myself', 'yourself', 'himself', etc.) puts extra emphasis on the fact that the person caused their own problem.
She got herself into a real mess by agreeing to two jobs at the same time.
Used with modals like 'can', 'could', 'might', or 'will' to talk about the possibility or risk of ending up in a bad situation.
If you don't pay attention to the rules, you could get into serious trouble.
Adverbs like 'really', 'seriously', or 'deeply' are placed before or after the verb to show how severe the situation is.
They got seriously into debt during the economic crisis.
Used with expressions like 'keep' or 'always' to show that someone repeatedly ends up in the same bad situation.
He keeps getting into arguments with his colleagues at work.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
This phrasal verb is inseparable, so the object must always come after 'into'. You cannot put the object between 'get' and 'into'.
When 'get into' is followed by a positive object like a hobby or interest, it means to start enjoying something — a completely different meaning. This sense only applies when the object is something negative, like trouble, debt, or a fight.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English. Using a reflexive pronoun (e.g. 'got himself into trouble') is very natural and adds emphasis to the idea that the person caused their own problem.
be accepted by a school, university, or team
Sense 3: What does "get into sth" mean?
Examples
- He studied for months and finally got into medical school.
- Did you get into the team you tried out for?
- She applied to six universities and got into all of them.
How to use it
The most common pattern — the name or description of the place or team always comes directly after 'into'.
She worked really hard and finally got into medical school.
This phrasal verb is very often used with verbs like 'manage to', 'hope to', and 'want to' to describe goals or achievements.
He always hoped to get into a top law school, and now he has.
The conditional is common when talking about future plans that depend on being accepted.
If she gets into the programme, she'll move to a new city.
Adverbs like 'somehow', 'barely', and 'actually' appear frequently to emphasise how surprising or difficult the acceptance was.
He somehow got into the squad even though it was his first season.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
This phrasal verb is inseparable — you cannot put the object between 'get' and 'into'. The institution or team must always come after 'into'.
When the institution is already clear from context and you want to drop it, use 'get in' on its own — not 'get into it', which sounds unnatural.
'I am getting into Harvard' sounds unnatural or ambiguous in this sense. Use the past simple, present perfect, or an infinitive construction instead.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English. In British English, 'get into university' (no article) is very common; in American English, 'get into college' is the typical equivalent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'get into' always mean becoming interested in something?
No — 'get into' has a few different meanings. It can also mean gaining admission somewhere (like 'She got into university') or becoming involved in a situation (like 'He got into trouble'). The object type is the key clue: if it's a hobby, activity, or genre, the meaning is about developing interest. The platform has separate entries for the other senses.
What kinds of things can you 'get into'?
Hobbies, sports, music genres, TV shows, podcasts, activities — anything you can develop an enthusiasm for. Common examples include getting into running, cooking, jazz, gaming, anime, or meditation. The object should be a pastime or interest, not a place or institution.
Can I use 'got into' to talk about something I've liked for a long time?
Not really — 'get into' implies the interest is new or gradually developed, not lifelong. If you've always loved football, it would sound odd to say 'I got into football'. It's better used when you can point to a starting point, like 'I got into football after watching the World Cup'.
Why is the present perfect so common with this phrasal verb?
Because 'get into' describes a change that started in the past but is still relevant now — and that's exactly what the present perfect expresses. 'I've really got into podcasts lately' means you started listening recently and are still into them now. It's one of the most natural and common ways to use this phrasal verb.
Can I use this phrasal verb in formal writing?
It's best avoided in formal essays or academic writing. 'Get into' is neutral to informal and belongs in everyday conversation, social media, blogs, or casual messages. In a formal context, you could say 'developed an interest in' or 'became enthusiastic about' instead.
What kinds of things can follow 'get into' in this meaning?
The object is always something negative or undesirable. Very common examples include 'trouble', 'debt', 'a fight', 'an argument', 'a mess', and 'difficulty'. If the object is something positive, like a hobby or an interest, it is a different sense of 'get into'.
Does 'get into' mean I did something on purpose?
Not always. It can describe both accidental involvement and situations caused by your own poor choices. The focus is on the process of ending up in a bad state, whether or not it was deliberate.
Can I use 'get into' without an object?
In this sense, no — you normally need to name the bad situation. Saying 'I really got into' without an object would sound unfinished. You need to say what the situation is, for example 'I got into trouble' or 'I got into a mess'.
Is there a difference between 'get into trouble' and 'fall into trouble'?
'Fall into' tends to suggest the involvement was more accidental or gradual, like drifting into a bad situation without realising it. 'Get into' is more neutral and can suggest slightly more personal responsibility, though both are natural and common.
Can I use 'get into' in the passive, like 'the mess was gotten into'?
No — this phrase is not used in the passive in natural English. The subject is always the person who becomes involved in the bad situation, so we always say 'He got into a mess', never 'A mess was gotten into by him'.
Does 'get into' always mean being accepted somewhere?
No — 'get into' has several meanings. The object is the key clue: when it's an institution, school, or team, it means being accepted. The same form is also used to mean starting to enjoy something or getting involved in a situation, but those are different senses covered separately on this platform.
Is there a difference between 'get into university' and 'get into a university'?
Both are correct, but there is a small difference in usage. In British English, 'get into university' without an article is very natural and common. In American English, speakers more often say 'get into college' or 'get into a university'. The meaning is the same either way.
Can I use 'get into' for non-competitive situations, like starting a new job?
'Get into' in this sense is most natural when there is real competition or selection involved — exams, applications, interviews, or tryouts. For a job, English speakers more commonly say 'get a job' or 'get hired'. However, for highly competitive programmes or positions, 'get into' can work.
What is the difference between 'get into' and 'get in'?
'Get into' is followed by the name of the place or team: 'She got into Cambridge.' 'Get in' is used on its own when the place is already clear from context: 'She applied to Cambridge and got in!' Both describe the same result — being accepted — but 'get in' drops the object.
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