better get going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "better get going" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that someone should leave or start moving soon, often because of time constraints. Example: "It's getting late, so we better get going if we want to catch the last train."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"We'd better get going".

The New York Times

"Anyway," he said, "I'd better get going.

The New Yorker

"We better get going," Orli said.

The New Yorker

"Then we better get going," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

I better get going to warm up for my match now".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'd better get going," Tom said, but he didn't go anywhere.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

He'd better think about getting going sharpish.

The Guardian - Sport

It is not clear what sustainable product development is; what we can do is to try our best to find better solutions, get going and make sure that we learn from what happens.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Like, shit, I better actually get going and save some money or I'll be fucked when I'm 60.

Vice

You can see them getting better and better going into the World Cup.

Independent

We've been getting better, going faster.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "better get going" when you want to politely but firmly suggest that it's time to leave or start an activity, especially when time is a factor.

Common error

Avoid using "better get going" in highly formal situations, such as business presentations or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "we should proceed" or "it is time to depart".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better get going" functions as an imperative, urging action, specifically departure or the commencement of an activity. Ludwig AI examples show it used in everyday conversations and narratives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "better get going" is a common and grammatically sound way to suggest that someone should leave or start moving soon, especially due to time constraints. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its widespread use in general communication. While generally neutral in register, it's best reserved for informal to neutral situations. If you're looking for alternatives, phrases like "should head out" or "let's get going" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid overusing it in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let's get going

An invitation to start doing something or leaving a place.

should head out

Focuses more on the action of leaving a place.

ought to leave now

Emphasizes obligation or advisability of leaving immediately.

should make a move

Highlights the start of a departure or action.

must be going

Politely indicates an intention to leave.

we should start moving

Emphasizes the start of physical movement or progress.

need to get a move on

Stresses the urgency of speeding up.

have to take off

Informally expresses the need to leave.

it's time to leave

States the necessity of departure based on timing.

we must depart

Formally announces a group's departure.

FAQs

What does "better get going" mean?

It means it's advisable or necessary to leave or start doing something promptly.

What can I say instead of "better get going"?

You can use alternatives like "should head out", "ought to leave now", or "let's get going", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "better get going"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English.

When is it appropriate to use "better get going"?

It's appropriate in informal to neutral contexts when urging someone to leave or start an activity because time is limited.