get something going

USAGE SUMMARY

"get something going" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to initiate or start something, to get it moving or underway. Example: "We need to get this project going before the deadline. Let's schedule a meeting to discuss our plan and get things going." Another example: "The sales team needs to get their momentum going to meet their monthly targets. Maybe a team-building exercise will help get things going."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Hopefully, we can get something going.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've got to get something going here.

The New York Times

"Hopefully, we'll get something going".

The New York Times - Sports

It was nice to get something going".

The New York Times - Sports

We are keen to get something going".

The Guardian - Sport

Who knows — maybe he'll get something going with a squirrel.

The New Yorker

"I'm trying to get something going," Edwards said.

The New York Times - Sports

Hopefully both of them can get something going.

The Guardian - Sport

Oregon needs to get something going offensively before the end of the half.

The New York Times

23 Brian Schottenheimer calls a Jeremy Kerley Wildcat play to get something going on offense.

The New York Times

"We were confident that we were going to get something going," Biron said of the Rangers' game-ending power plays.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context is appropriate for an idiomatic expression. While versatile, "get something going" might not be suitable for highly formal or technical writing where more precise language is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "get something going" excessively in highly formal reports or academic papers. While acceptable, it can sometimes be perceived as too informal. Instead, opt for more precise alternatives like "initiate", "commence", or "establish".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "get something going" is as an idiomatic expression functioning as a verbal phrase. It signifies the act of initiating or setting in motion an activity or process. Ludwig shows its frequent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

30%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get something going" is a common and acceptable idiomatic expression used to convey the idea of initiating an activity or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and sport. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in highly formal settings, opting instead for more precise alternatives like "initiate" or "commence". The phrase is generally neutral in register, but leans towards the informal, making it suitable for a wide range of communicative purposes where encouraging action and progress are desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kick something off

Emphasizes the start or beginning of an event or project. It implies a launch or initial phase.

get the ball rolling

Suggests initiating an action to encourage further progress; it implies momentum.

set something in motion

Implies initiating a process with a series of actions or events.

set the wheels in motion

Similar to "set something in motion", but specifically refers to initiating a process or system.

get underway

A more formal way of saying something is starting or commencing.

start something up

Refers to beginning a new venture or activity, often with the implication of energy or enthusiasm.

initiate something

A formal term for beginning or starting something, often used in official or academic contexts.

commence something

A more formal and often ceremonial term for beginning or initiating something.

spark something

Suggests initiating something, often with the implication of igniting interest or activity.

trigger something

Implies initiating a chain of events or a reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "get something going" in a sentence?

You can use "get something going" to describe starting a project, a relationship, or any activity that requires initiation. For example, "We need to "get something going" with the marketing campaign to boost sales."

What's a more formal alternative to "get something going"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "initiate", "commence", or "establish" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "getting something going"?

Yes, "getting something going" is grammatically correct and can be used in progressive tenses or as a gerund. For instance, "Getting something going requires careful planning."

What's the difference between "get something going" and "start something"?

While both phrases mean to begin something, "get something going" often implies more effort or a process to initiate, whereas "start something" is a more general term for beginning an activity.