get down well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get down well" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express that something is understood or received positively, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "I hope you can get down well with the new procedures we implemented."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Federici then had to get down well to save from Lee Frecklington and Lee Tomlin before half-time to keep Reading in the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Elliot had to tip Eto'o's dipping 40th-minute strike over the bar and then get down well to turn his skidding effort around a post 16 minutes after the restart.

The Guardian - Sport

That's based on someone who's jotted down at centre-back popping up on the right wing, nutmegging Jose Enrique and firing a 20-yarder which Jones has to get down well to save.

The Guardian - Sport

However a minute before half-time, Given had to get down well to palm away Rezek's dipping effort.

BBC

It is something I will be showing my goalkeepers in training to make sure they get down well with one arm.

BBC

Forde had to get down well to keep out a 54th-minute strike from Gianluca Bugelli, but Long made it 4-0 after beating the offside trap 10 minutes later.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Schwarzer got down well to save it.

The Guardian - Sport

Lindahl got down well to save.

The Guardian - Sport

Robinson gets down well to make the save.

The Guardian - Sport

Dremmler shot from the right, Ettori getting down well to hold on to the ball.

The Guardian

The keeper gets down well to parry, and the rebound just eludes an onrushing Huddlestone.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a goalkeeper's action, use more precise verbs like "dive", "block", or "save" to convey the action clearly. For example, instead of "The goalkeeper got down well to save", say "The goalkeeper dived to save the shot".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "get down well" in formal writing. This phrase is often vague and doesn't clearly convey the intended meaning. Choose more descriptive and precise language to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get down well" functions as a verb phrase, often describing an action, particularly in sports contexts. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's not a standard English expression, suggesting ambiguity in its usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get down well" is used to describe an action, most frequently in a sports context. However, it's worth noting that Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as not being a standard English expression, indicating potential ambiguity. As a result, it is recommended to use clearer and more precise language, like "dive", "block", or "save" when describing a goalkeeper's action, or alternatives such as ""understand thoroughly"" or "react promptly" in other contexts. The phrase appears primarily in news and media sources, and is considered to have a neutral to informal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand thoroughly

Focuses on comprehensive comprehension of information.

receive positively

Highlights a favorable reception or acceptance of something.

react promptly

Emphasizes a quick and effective response.

descend gracefully

Suggests a smooth and controlled downward movement.

lower oneself carefully

Implies a deliberate and cautious action of getting down.

move downwards efficiently

Highlights the effectiveness of a downward movement.

handle skillfully

Emphasizes proficiency in dealing with something.

address effectively

Suggests a successful approach to dealing with a problem.

deal with competently

Highlights capability in managing a situation.

manage adroitly

Suggests cleverness and skill in handling a situation.

FAQs

What does "get down well" mean?

The phrase "get down well" is ambiguous and its meaning is not immediately clear. Depending on the context, it might refer to understanding something thoroughly, reacting promptly, or a skillful physical action. Using more precise language is recommended.

How can I use "get down well" in a sentence?

While "get down well" is used in some contexts, it's better to use clearer alternatives. For example, instead of "He needs to get down well with the new procedures", you could say "He needs to "understand thoroughly" the new procedures".

What are some alternatives to "get down well" when referring to a goalkeeper?

Instead of saying a goalkeeper "got down well", consider using phrases like "dived to save", "made a diving save", or "blocked the shot" for better clarity and impact.

Is "get down well" grammatically correct?

The grammatical correctness of "get down well" is debatable. While some sources use it, it's not a standard or widely accepted phrase in formal English. Choosing more precise and common expressions is generally recommended.