Use of 'get at'

Question

HiWould you say that the use of get at is natural here?He feels that his mother is always getting at him. (nagging him; criticizing him, etc)Thanks,Tom

Clive · Accepted Answer

CalifJim · Answer

Mr. TomWould you say that the use of get at is natural here?

It sounded wrong to me, so I had to do some dictionary work to understand why.

Merriam-Webster (American dictionary)

get at
1 : to reach effectively
The valve is hard to get at unless you have a special tool.
2 : to influence corruptly : bribe
3 : to turn one's attention to
The committee finally got at the main issue.
4 : to try to prove or make clear
I don't understand what he's getting at.

get at
1 : to reach with or as if with the hand
I can't get at the switch.
2 : to deal with
There's lots to do so let's get at it.
3 : to say or suggest in an indirect way
Just what are you getting at?

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20at

Nothing there about nagging or criticizing.

Then I found this:

get at: If you get at someone, you keep criticizing or teasing them in an unkind way.
[British, informal]

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/get-at

Aha! That's why it didn't sound right to my American ear.

Here's the American equivalent:

He feels that his mother is always getting on his case.

CJ

Use of 'get at'

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