get on side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get on side" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is aligning themselves with a particular viewpoint or group, often in a collaborative or supportive manner. Example: "To move forward with the project, we need to get on side with the stakeholders and ensure their concerns are addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Unoriginal as this may be, 11 wins in 14 games mark Championship-bound Albion as ones to get on side this weekend, especially as the slumping Latics are their hosts.

The Guardian - Sport

Another FA Cup-reduced card limits our interest, especially in the Championship, but this League One match offers a decent opportunity to get on side with Chris Powell's Addicks.

The Guardian - Sport

As reported by investigative journalist and author Mark Curtis, covert operations launched by Washington to destabilise Iran in 2007 involve a "propaganda and disinformation campaign", which roughly translates to "get the media to relay a bunch of anti-Iran shit so that everyone will get on side when we start bombing them". .

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

'In the five-a-side everyone was looking to get on his side.

The Guardian - Sport

"I feel really strongly that the British government must get on the side of the Kurds.

Independent

Yamauchi is a Japan-based Briton, so we can get on her side.

The Guardian - Sport

How to do it: Get on your side, and brace yourself on your forearm and foot.

Huffington Post

I think: How did I get on this side of that camera?

Huffington Post

The deck became so steep that passengers and crew had to climb over the rails to get on her side.

Wikipedia

Get on your side, resting on your elbow.

WikiHow

Try to get on the side opposite of the goalie.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get on side" when you want to emphasize the act of persuading someone to support your cause or idea. It often implies a collaborative effort to achieve a common goal.

Common error

Avoid using "get on side" when the situation doesn't involve active persuasion or winning someone's support. Opt for alternatives like "align with" or "support" when simply describing agreement or backing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "get on side" is as a phrasal verb that functions idiomatically. It means to persuade someone to support or agree with a particular cause, idea, or person. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig AI, and illustrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get on side" is an idiomatic phrasal verb meaning to persuade someone to support a particular cause or idea. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct, although its usage is relatively rare. It is most frequently found in news media and wiki content, suggesting a predominantly informal or neutral register. When writing, be mindful of the context and consider more formal alternatives like "align with" in professional or academic settings. The phrase emphasizes the act of winning someone's support for a collaborative effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

side with

Emphasizes taking a position in favor of someone or something, especially in a dispute.

support

A direct and common synonym, indicating active approval and assistance.

back

A shorter, more direct way of saying support.

get behind

Informal and means to support or promote something actively.

align with

More formal and implies a deliberate choice to support a particular stance.

throw your weight behind

Suggests strongly supporting someone or something with influence or resources.

join forces

Suggests a collaborative effort, combining resources and efforts for a common goal.

rally around

Implies gathering support from multiple sources, often in response to a need or cause.

fall in line

Suggests conforming to an existing standard or plan, often with an implication of obedience.

come around to

Implies a change in opinion, eventually agreeing with a previously opposed viewpoint.

FAQs

What does it mean to "get someone on side"?

To "get someone on side" means to persuade them to support you or agree with your viewpoint. It implies winning them over, often to work together toward a shared goal.

How can I use "get on side" in a sentence?

You might say, "We need to get the board of directors on side before we can proceed with the project" meaning you need to convince them to support the project.

What are some alternatives to "get on side"?

You can use alternatives like "gain support", "win over", or "persuade" depending on the context.

Is "get on side" formal or informal?

"Get on side" is generally considered an informal expression. In more formal settings, consider using "align with" or "secure agreement".