getting on board

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'getting on board' is an idiomatic phrase that is commonly used in written English.
You can use the phrase to indicate agreement with a plan, idea, or proposal. For example: "After hearing the details of the project, we were all onboard and eager to get started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

They're called "troublemakers," "people not buying in," "the ones not getting on board" and many more.

Huffington Post

And the ones who are getting on board are lending credibility to the idea and momentum to the idea that we have to get rid of this policy.

BMC Public Health

The first attempt to capture her failed, with only one man, the coxswain, getting on board.

Wikipedia

Policy makers are also getting on board.

Yale University

"I think they're getting on board".

The New York Times

"He asked if I needed help getting on board.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Businesses aren't the only ones getting on-board.

The Guardian

What is the danger of automakers getting on-board with hybrid technology?

The New York Times

I am glad to see so many people in the medical community getting on board.

Los Angeles Times

I'd be interested in getting on board with the Trump team.

The Washington Post

Even the FBI is getting on board.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the context. While widely understood, in some formal settings, a more direct phrasing like "agreeing to support" or "participating in" might be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "getting on board" in highly formal documents or presentations where a more direct and professional tone is required. Instead, opt for phrases like "endorsing the initiative" or "supporting the proposal".

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "getting on board" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of agreeing or deciding to participate in something. It often implies a conscious decision to support or join an initiative, aligning with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "getting on board" is a widely used idiomatic expression that signifies agreement, support, or active participation in a plan, project, or cause. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears very frequently in various contexts. While generally considered acceptable, it's best to avoid using "getting on board" in highly formal settings, opting instead for more professional alternatives such as "agreeing to support" or "participating in". The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, but also appears in business and scientific contexts, making it a versatile expression in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

align oneself with

Focuses on agreement and support.

join the cause

Emphasizes participation in a shared objective.

throw in one's lot with

Implies a complete commitment to a group or cause.

lend support to

Highlights the act of providing assistance or endorsement.

embrace the idea

Suggests a enthusiastic adoption of a concept.

adopt the plan

Focuses on formal acceptance of a strategy.

fall in line with

Indicates conforming to an existing standard or policy.

get behind

Focuses on providing support and encouragement.

sign up for

Emphasizes registering or enlisting to participate.

become a proponent of

Suggests advocating for or championing a particular idea.

FAQs

What does "getting on board" mean?

The phrase "getting on board" is an idiom that means to agree with something, support a cause, or become involved in a project or activity. It implies joining and actively participating.

How can I use "getting on board" in a sentence?

You can use "getting on board" to describe someone's agreement or involvement, such as, "After the presentation, the team decided to "get on board" with the new strategy."

What are some alternatives to "getting on board"?

You can use alternatives like "support", "endorse", "join", or "participate" depending on the context.

Is "getting on board" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "getting on board" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more direct and professional alternatives such as "agree to support" or "participate in".