Does the phrase “get someone good” only mean to fool someone or have a wider usage?

**rezaaa** · 23-Jan-2021, 16:33

I think knowing which sense of the word "get" is used in the phrase is very important. "get" has numerous meanings, but apart from the sense "to baffle" or "to fool", what else can it mean in this particular phrase?

**teechar** · 23-Jan-2021, 17:17

Context?

**GoesStation** · 23-Jan-2021, 17:18

I don't see why it's important to focus on what "get" means in the phrase. Isn't the important thing to know what the expression means?

In any case, as you noted, "get" means fool in that expression.

**rezaaa** · 23-Jan-2021, 17:55

a couple of native speakers replied to my question, saying that the phrase can mean to kill someone or overcome someone.

**rezaaa** · 23-Jan-2021, 18:06

Originally Posted by teechar

Context?

Actually, I asked the general meaning of the phrase, but I heard it in the adult cartoon TV Series Rick And Morty in s3e5 where Jerry is being sucked into an alien feral plant, begging Rick for help. While Rick is wasting the time assembling something nearby, Jerry shouts: " it got me good".

**Charlie Bernstein** · 23-Jan-2021, 18:07

It can refer to any kind of revenge, retribution, or response to something someone did that you don't like.

It can also refer to a prank or to any kind of attack.

Looking up the definition of get won't help you. This use is idiomatic, so it can't be understood literally.

**GoesStation** · 23-Jan-2021, 18:08

Originally Posted by rezaaa

A couple of native speakers replied to my question that the phrase can mean to kill someone or overcome someone.

That's right. I didn't think of that.

Note that "good" is an adverb in this expression. That's a nonstandard usage which excludes the expression from formal use.

**rezaaa** · 23-Jan-2021, 18:14

Is the origin of the phrase known?

**emsr2d2** · 23-Jan-2021, 18:37

Originally Posted by rezaaa

Is ~~it known~~ the origin of the phrase known?

Please note my correction to the word order of your question. That's not a great question because it's almost certain that the origin of the phrase is known by someone somewhere! It would have been better to ask "Does anyone here know the origin of the phrase?"

I have Googled for the origin of it and come up with nothing (yet).

**teechar** · 23-Jan-2021, 18:38

Originally Posted by rezaaa

Is ~~it known~~ the origin of the phrase known?

or,
"Does anyone know the origin of the phrase?"
[cross-posted]

Thread: Does the phrase “get someone good” only mean to fool someone or have a wider usage?

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