get the message across

USAGE SUMMARY

"get the message across" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean to make one's meaning or intent known or understood. For example: "I tried to get the message across that the project had to be completed by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Donald Runnicles's conducting does, however, get the message across.

The Guardian

"But it's important to get the message across.

The Guardian

Rather than preaching to the masses, he uses humor to get the message across.

The New York Times

"As parents, we don't have a rule book about how to get the message across.

Independent

"I'll spend as much as it takes to get the message across," he said yesterday.

The Guardian

It's time for a new activism to get the message across.

The Guardian

"I want to get the message across: this condition is treatable.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes P.R. firms have the right idea on how to get the message across".

The New York Times

We want to get the message across that this happens behind closed doors.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the town's boards and commissions are finding it difficult to get the message across.

The New York Times

Once the evidence and understanding is there, public bodies need to get the message across.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get the message across", consider your audience and tailor your communication style to ensure they understand your meaning clearly. Use simple language and avoid jargon when possible.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex language or convoluted sentence structures when trying to "get the message across". Simplicity and clarity are key to effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get the message across" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of successfully communicating a particular idea, point, or piece of information to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get the message across" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe successfully communicating an idea or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It is neutral in register, making it suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and general communication. Its effectiveness relies on clarity and understanding, and while directness is often preferred, the approach should be tailored to the specific audience and situation. Related alternatives include "communicate effectively" and "make something clear", but the most similar alternative is "get the point across".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get the point across

Is very similar but puts slight emphasis on a specific point.

put across the meaning

Highlights the transmission of specific meaning or intent.

make something clear

Highlights the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the communication.

communicate effectively

Focuses on the overall effectiveness of the communication process.

ensure understanding

Highlights the goal of achieving comprehension in the audience.

convey the information

Emphasizes the transmission of factual information.

articulate the idea

Focuses on the careful and detailed explanation of an idea.

express oneself clearly

Focuses on the speaker's ability to articulate their thoughts.

transmit the intent

Focuses on successfully conveying the intended purpose.

disseminate the knowledge

Focuses on widely spreading knowledge or information.

FAQs

How can I "get the message across" effectively?

To "get the message across" effectively, focus on clarity, use simple language, and consider your audience's background knowledge. Visual aids and real-world examples can also help.

What are some alternatives to "get the message across"?

You can use alternatives like "communicate effectively", "make something clear", or "get the point across" depending on the context.

Is it better to "get the message across" directly or indirectly?

Whether to "get the message across" directly or indirectly depends on the situation and your audience. Directness is often best for clarity, but indirectness may be necessary in sensitive situations.

How does the context influence how I "get the message across"?

Context is crucial. Tailor your language, tone, and examples to suit the specific situation and your audience's expectations. For example, the way you "get the message across" in a business meeting will differ from how you do it with friends.