get on a bit

USAGE SUMMARY

"get on a bit" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
The phrase typically means "to age" or "to grow older" and is often used in a casual or informal context. Example: "I can't believe how fast time flies. We're all getting on a bit, aren't we?" In this sentence, "getting on a bit" is used to describe the process of aging, and is typically used when talking about oneself or a group of people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"The real danger of this is they're playing against three very good one-day sides, and if they don't get on a bit of a roll and start winning then confidence could be eroded rather than enhanced before the World Cup".

BBC

I was able to get on a bit of a roll from that point on".

The Guardian - Sport

Get on a bit and the memory bank is overflowing and also doesn't need the objects as triggers so much.

The Guardian - Opinion

A lot of guys of found them tricky, and they are tricky, but if you can just roll a couple, you can get on a bit of a roll.

The New York Times - Sports

Hopefully he can get on a bit of a run".  .

BBC

"The cup run has probably helped them get on a bit of a roll, it benefited us a couple of years ago and it will benefit them this year".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Pythons might getting on a bit, but they still know how - and want - to put on a show.

BBC

It should make you like a complete laughingstock & be too tight to get on without a bit of effort.

WikiHow

Yes, they're getting on a bit — thirty-one and thirty, respectively, which is, like, seventy-something, in pro-tennis years.

The New Yorker

Clumsy Ninja Android/iOS (Free + IAP) Clumsy Ninja may be getting on a bit now but it remains one of the most innovative character-driven games on mobile.

The Guardian - Tech

We're all getting on a bit".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "get on a bit" think if you could eventually replace with a synonym like "grow older", or a more neutral equivalent term.

Common error

Avoid using "get on a bit" in formal writing or professional settings. It's generally more appropriate for casual conversations or informal writing. Using it in formal contexts can make your writing sound unprofessional or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get on a bit" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the process of aging. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts. It often conveys a sense of understatement or casual acknowledgment of growing older.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get on a bit" is an idiomatic phrase meaning to grow older, typically used informally. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears across diverse contexts, particularly news and media, but is absent in academic writing. When writing, remember that while grammatically sound, "get on a bit" isn't suitable for formal communication. Consider using more direct alternatives such as "grow older" or "age" for professional or scholarly settings. The best practice would be to only use this phrase for informal or casual conversations, keeping in mind the British origins of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

age

A simpler and more general term for the process of growing older.

grow older

A direct and neutral way to express aging, lacking the idiomatic nuance of the original phrase.

get along in years

Similar in tone to "get on a bit", suggesting a gradual progression through life.

advance in years

More formal and literary, emphasizing the passage of time and accumulation of experience.

reach a certain age

Focuses on attaining a specific point in the aging process, rather than the process itself.

progress in age

A more formal way of indicating the advancement of someone's age.

become elderly

Emphasizes the final stage of aging, carrying a stronger connotation of old age.

mature

Highlights the positive aspects of aging, such as gaining wisdom and experience.

enter old age

Signals the transition into the final phase of life, often implying significant life changes.

decline in years

Focuses on the negative aspects of aging, such as physical or mental deterioration.

FAQs

What does "get on a bit" mean?

"Get on a bit" is an idiomatic expression that means to grow older. It's often used in a casual context to talk about someone aging.

Is it appropriate to use "get on a bit" in formal writing?

No, "get on a bit" is generally considered informal. Use more formal alternatives like "grow older" or "advance in years" in professional or academic contexts.

What are some other ways to say someone is getting older?

Besides "get on a bit", you can use phrases such as "age", "mature", or "advance in age", depending on the context and desired tone.

How did the expression "get on a bit" originate?

The origin of the expression is not definitively known, but it likely evolved from the general use of "get on" to mean progress or advance, combined with "a bit" to soften the statement about aging.