get things wet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get things wet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to the act of making something moist or applying liquid to an object or surface. Example: "Before you start painting, make sure to get things wet to ensure better adhesion of the paint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It doesn't get things wet.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mold grows when things get wet.

WikiHow

But things get much wetter than benign April showers.

The Guardian - Books

The salt gets wetter and wetter.

The New York Times

The floor gets wetter and wetter.

Vice

"Things do get wet," Mitchell said to me.

The New Yorker

In the hallway, these things never get wet.

The New York Times

Oculus has created starter bundles that prove a good jumping off point, but if you want to pick up just a few things to get your feet wet, I'd recommend SUPERHOT VR, Oculus Medium, Space Pirate Trainer, Virtual Desktop and The Climb to start.

TechCrunch

"I might know some of those guys' moves," said Landon Donovan, who couldn't even suit up for Bayer Leverkusen during his first stint in Germany, but who learned how to be a footballer, right down to diet and taking care of his body and when to get a wet uniform off him, things he never thought about in high school.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is not about things getting hotter and wetter but things getting meaner and uglier, unless we change the corrosive values that are pitting people against each other," she said in a lecture held in memory of Palestinian literary critic and political activist Edward Said at the Royal Festival Hall in London's Southbank Centre on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Books

If you fall or wipe out, jeans take too long to dry if they get wet and the last thing you want is wet pants in the freezing cold that take forever to dry.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get things wet" in instructions, be specific about what items need to be wetted and the purpose of wetting them (e.g., "Get the cleaning cloths wet before wiping down surfaces").

Common error

Avoid using "get things wet" without specifying which "things" you're referring to. This can lead to confusion. Instead, be precise: "Get the sponges wet," rather than "Get things wet."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get things wet" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of making something damp or applying liquid to an object or surface. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get things wet" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the action of making something damp or applying liquid. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds applications across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as instructional content. While versatile, it's generally considered informal, so consider more descriptive alternatives, such as "moisten items" or "apply liquid", in professional or academic writing. Remember to specify which "things" you are referring to for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moisten items

Focuses on the action of moistening specific items, replacing the more general "things".

dampen objects

Uses a more formal verb, "dampen", and a more specific noun, "objects", to convey a similar meaning.

wet certain items

Specifies that only "certain items" are being wetted, adding a nuance of selectivity.

make items damp

Uses a different construction with "make" and "damp" instead of "get" and "wet".

apply liquid to items

Replaces "get wet" with the more descriptive "apply liquid to", specifying the method of wetting.

saturate materials

Implies a more thorough wetting, where "materials" become fully soaked.

immerse objects in water

Suggests a complete submersion of "objects" in water.

sprinkle items with water

Indicates a light wetting using a sprinkling action.

splash water on items

Suggests a more forceful and less controlled application of water.

soak materials

Suggests a prolonged exposure to liquid, leading to thorough saturation.

FAQs

How can I use "get things wet" in a sentence?

You can use "get things wet" to describe the action of making something damp or applying liquid to it. For example, "Mold grows when "things get wet"."

What are some alternatives to "get things wet"?

Alternatives include "moisten items", "dampen objects", or "apply liquid to items", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "get things wet" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "get things wet" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise and descriptive alternatives like "moisten the materials" or "saturate the items".

What's the difference between "get things wet" and "things become wet"?

"Get things wet" implies an action of making something wet, while "things become wet" describes a state change, often without specifying who or what caused the change. For example, "I need to get these cloths wet" versus "The floor became wet due to the leak".