difference between "get off" and "get down&qu

[Anonymous]

1. Would you please clarify the distinction between "getoff" and "getdown"? Which one is preferable in the following sentence.
----I shall (getdown/getoff) in the next station.
2. Why don't we use idioms in the written english?

[whl626]

While you are on a bus I think to say ' get off ' in the next station is more appropriate.

We can use idioms in written english :) what's wrong with that :)

[Red5]

I would "get off" at the next station.

[RonBee]

What Red said.

:wink:

[shane]

I dare say that I would get down at the next station if I were sitting on top of the bus. :wink:

[RonBee]

I dare say that I would get down at the next station if I were sitting on top of the bus. :wink:

:wink:

[Casiopea]

Me thinks "get off" has its origin in "get down (the steps) off (of the X)", in the same way that "get on" has its origins in "get (up) on(to the X)"

Before buses, there were carriages (not that I'd know that from personal experience ), the steps of which people had to "get up onto" and "get down off of".

To my knowledge, speakers, albeit traditional users, do in fact say, "Can I get down here?" , "Can you let me down here?"

Cas :)