Idiom
Get over it
Get over it is a blunt way of telling someone to stop being upset about something and move on.
How people use it
It is usually said as a command: "It was one bad grade. Get over it." It can sound impatient or harsh, especially if the other person is truly hurt, so be careful with it. Between friends it can be light and teasing. The phrasal verb get over also has a neutral meaning, to recover from something: "She got over the flu," "It took him months to get over the move." The command itself is informal and can be rude.
Examples
- You lost one game of cards; get over it and deal the next hand.
- Ben told his sister to get over it when she complained about the rain for the third time.
- I know you wanted the front seat, but you need to get over it.
Where it comes from
Get over has meant to recover from an illness, shock or disappointment for centuries. The short command get over it, used to brush aside someone's complaints, became common in American English in the late 1900s and spread through movies, songs and television.
Check yourself
1. What is someone saying when they tell you to get over it?
Answer: Stop being upset and move on. Get over it is a blunt way of telling someone to stop dwelling on something.
2. Why can get over it sound rude?
Answer: It dismisses someone's feelings. The command can make someone feel their real hurt doesn't matter.
Similar idioms
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