rastr
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- Nov 4, 2011
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The text seems inaccurate on the page:
reference (slash) phrasal-verbs (slash) get+off+it (dot) html
It says "get off it" is a way of expressing disbelief. Though this would be true in a situation in which the phrase is used, there's more to the meaning.
In the extensive usage of this that I've heard, "get off it" is a command telling someone to relinquish their position/opinion on an issue. Like if I yell at you, "You did that on purpose!" The person might say, "No way- get off it!" It's particularly used about very subjective opinions that where the position makes one right or makes others wrong.
In the 1970's, it was used extensively by the Erhard Seminars Training organization and is still used by its successor, Landmark Education. It's a phrase commonly used in their courses which have been delivered to about 2 million people. It's also used in phrases, "being on it" ("I'm on it about money being scarce") and "getting off it" ("I'm getting off it about my wife's yelling meaning she's angry at me- to her, she's just expressing frustration.")
A similar expressing is "get over it", commanding someone to "let go" of the emotional significance fueling the certainty and significance with which they are holding the opinion.
(I don't know if the term originated with est, but it seems likely, and especially likely that they brought it into the culture.)
reference (slash) phrasal-verbs (slash) get+off+it (dot) html
It says "get off it" is a way of expressing disbelief. Though this would be true in a situation in which the phrase is used, there's more to the meaning.
In the extensive usage of this that I've heard, "get off it" is a command telling someone to relinquish their position/opinion on an issue. Like if I yell at you, "You did that on purpose!" The person might say, "No way- get off it!" It's particularly used about very subjective opinions that where the position makes one right or makes others wrong.
In the 1970's, it was used extensively by the Erhard Seminars Training organization and is still used by its successor, Landmark Education. It's a phrase commonly used in their courses which have been delivered to about 2 million people. It's also used in phrases, "being on it" ("I'm on it about money being scarce") and "getting off it" ("I'm getting off it about my wife's yelling meaning she's angry at me- to her, she's just expressing frustration.")
A similar expressing is "get over it", commanding someone to "let go" of the emotional significance fueling the certainty and significance with which they are holding the opinion.
(I don't know if the term originated with est, but it seems likely, and especially likely that they brought it into the culture.)