What is the difference in meaning between “get back to him” and “get back at him”?
-2
And you were afraid that if you started asking questions, it would get back to him
So, I read that "get back at him" is like humiliate or contact but I do not understand the meaning of ”get back to” here. Do get back at and get back to have similar meanings? What difference do they have?
Please elaborate
From The Outsider by Stephen King
idioms prepositions american-english phrasal-verbs
edited 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
61.6k55216455
asked 14 hours ago
Sai Kiran
4
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-2
And you were afraid that if you started asking questions, it would get back to him
So, I read that "get back at him" is like humiliate or contact but I do not understand the meaning of ”get back to” here. Do get back at and get back to have similar meanings? What difference do they have?
Please elaborate
From The Outsider by Stephen King
idioms prepositions american-english phrasal-verbs
edited 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
61.6k55216455
asked 14 hours ago
Sai Kiran
4
New contributor
Sai Kiran is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Your title says "get back at him". Your screenshot shows "get back to him". Not the same thing.
– michael.hor257k
11 hours ago
1
Sai Kiran, you posted a similar question recently which was put on hold for not showing any evidence of research. I am flagging this question for closure for exactly the same reason. Please read How to Ask and take the EL&U Tour so that you understand what's expected on our site.
– Chappo
11 hours ago
I also think your questions might be better received at English Language Learners. That site was created for questions like this one.
– J.R.
7 hours ago
add a comment |
-2
-2
-2
And you were afraid that if you started asking questions, it would get back to him
So, I read that "get back at him" is like humiliate or contact but I do not understand the meaning of ”get back to” here. Do get back at and get back to have similar meanings? What difference do they have?
Please elaborate
From The Outsider by Stephen King
idioms prepositions american-english phrasal-verbs
edited 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
61.6k55216455
asked 14 hours ago
Sai Kiran
4
New contributor
Sai Kiran is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
And you were afraid that if you started asking questions, it would get back to him
So, I read that "get back at him" is like humiliate or contact but I do not understand the meaning of ”get back to” here. Do get back at and get back to have similar meanings? What difference do they have?
Please elaborate
From The Outsider by Stephen King
idioms prepositions american-english phrasal-verbs
idioms prepositions american-english phrasal-verbs
edited 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
61.6k55216455
asked 14 hours ago
Sai Kiran
4
New contributor
Sai Kiran is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
61.6k55216455
asked 14 hours ago
Sai Kiran
4
New contributor
Sai Kiran is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
61.6k55216455
edited 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
61.6k55216455
edited 8 hours ago
Mari-Lou A
61.6k55216455
61.6k55216455
asked 14 hours ago
Sai Kiran
4
New contributor
Sai Kiran is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 14 hours ago
Sai Kiran
4
asked 14 hours ago
Sai Kiran
4
4
New contributor
Sai Kiran is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Sai Kiran is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Sai Kiran is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Your title says "get back at him". Your screenshot shows "get back to him". Not the same thing.
– michael.hor257k
11 hours ago
1
Sai Kiran, you posted a similar question recently which was put on hold for not showing any evidence of research. I am flagging this question for closure for exactly the same reason. Please read How to Ask and take the EL&U Tour so that you understand what's expected on our site.
– Chappo
11 hours ago
I also think your questions might be better received at English Language Learners. That site was created for questions like this one.
– J.R.
7 hours ago
add a comment |
Your title says "get back at him". Your screenshot shows "get back to him". Not the same thing.
– michael.hor257k
11 hours ago
1
Sai Kiran, you posted a similar question recently which was put on hold for not showing any evidence of research. I am flagging this question for closure for exactly the same reason. Please read How to Ask and take the EL&U Tour so that you understand what's expected on our site.
– Chappo
11 hours ago
I also think your questions might be better received at English Language Learners. That site was created for questions like this one.
– J.R.
7 hours ago
Your title says "get back at him". Your screenshot shows "get back to him". Not the same thing.
– michael.hor257k
11 hours ago
Your title says "get back at him". Your screenshot shows "get back to him". Not the same thing.
– michael.hor257k
11 hours ago
1
1
Sai Kiran, you posted a similar question recently which was put on hold for not showing any evidence of research. I am flagging this question for closure for exactly the same reason. Please read How to Ask and take the EL&U Tour so that you understand what's expected on our site.
– Chappo
11 hours ago
Sai Kiran, you posted a similar question recently which was put on hold for not showing any evidence of research. I am flagging this question for closure for exactly the same reason. Please read How to Ask and take the EL&U Tour so that you understand what's expected on our site.
– Chappo
11 hours ago
I also think your questions might be better received at English Language Learners. That site was created for questions like this one.
– J.R.
7 hours ago
I also think your questions might be better received at English Language Learners. That site was created for questions like this one.
– J.R.
7 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2
- To get back at someone usually means to take revenge on them.
- To get back to someone usually means to resume an earlier conversation with them. Example: "I'll check if we have enough food for dinner and get back to you on whether we should get more groceries."
- In the photo posted by OP, the usage is a version of the phrase word will get (back) to someone. This refers to that someone indirectly finding out about what was originally said without them knowing. So another way of interpreting what the speaker is saying in the underlined text is this: "And you were afraid that if you started asking questions, he would eventually find out."
answered 14 hours ago
Lisbeth
12818
add a comment |
0
Here's the 4th explanation on Collins Dictionary:
phrasal verb (informal)
If you get back at someone or get them back, you do something unpleasant to them in order to have revenge for something unpleasant that they did to you.
Hope this may help.
answered 14 hours ago
Hewie Glaire
212
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
2
- To get back at someone usually means to take revenge on them.
- To get back to someone usually means to resume an earlier conversation with them. Example: "I'll check if we have enough food for dinner and get back to you on whether we should get more groceries."
- In the photo posted by OP, the usage is a version of the phrase word will get (back) to someone. This refers to that someone indirectly finding out about what was originally said without them knowing. So another way of interpreting what the speaker is saying in the underlined text is this: "And you were afraid that if you started asking questions, he would eventually find out."
answered 14 hours ago
Lisbeth
12818
add a comment |
2
- To get back at someone usually means to take revenge on them.
- To get back to someone usually means to resume an earlier conversation with them. Example: "I'll check if we have enough food for dinner and get back to you on whether we should get more groceries."
- In the photo posted by OP, the usage is a version of the phrase word will get (back) to someone. This refers to that someone indirectly finding out about what was originally said without them knowing. So another way of interpreting what the speaker is saying in the underlined text is this: "And you were afraid that if you started asking questions, he would eventually find out."
answered 14 hours ago
Lisbeth
12818
add a comment |
2
2
2
- To get back at someone usually means to take revenge on them.
- To get back to someone usually means to resume an earlier conversation with them. Example: "I'll check if we have enough food for dinner and get back to you on whether we should get more groceries."
- In the photo posted by OP, the usage is a version of the phrase word will get (back) to someone. This refers to that someone indirectly finding out about what was originally said without them knowing. So another way of interpreting what the speaker is saying in the underlined text is this: "And you were afraid that if you started asking questions, he would eventually find out."
answered 14 hours ago
Lisbeth
12818
- To get back at someone usually means to take revenge on them.
- To get back to someone usually means to resume an earlier conversation with them. Example: "I'll check if we have enough food for dinner and get back to you on whether we should get more groceries."
- In the photo posted by OP, the usage is a version of the phrase word will get (back) to someone. This refers to that someone indirectly finding out about what was originally said without them knowing. So another way of interpreting what the speaker is saying in the underlined text is this: "And you were afraid that if you started asking questions, he would eventually find out."
answered 14 hours ago
Lisbeth
12818
answered 14 hours ago
Lisbeth
12818
answered 14 hours ago
Lisbeth
12818
answered 14 hours ago
Lisbeth
12818
12818
add a comment |
add a comment |
0
Here's the 4th explanation on Collins Dictionary:
phrasal verb (informal)
If you get back at someone or get them back, you do something unpleasant to them in order to have revenge for something unpleasant that they did to you.
Hope this may help.
answered 14 hours ago
Hewie Glaire
212
add a comment |
0
Here's the 4th explanation on Collins Dictionary:
phrasal verb (informal)
If you get back at someone or get them back, you do something unpleasant to them in order to have revenge for something unpleasant that they did to you.
Hope this may help.
answered 14 hours ago
Hewie Glaire
212
add a comment |
0
0
0
Here's the 4th explanation on Collins Dictionary:
phrasal verb (informal)
If you get back at someone or get them back, you do something unpleasant to them in order to have revenge for something unpleasant that they did to you.
Hope this may help.
answered 14 hours ago
Hewie Glaire
212
Here's the 4th explanation on Collins Dictionary:
phrasal verb (informal)
If you get back at someone or get them back, you do something unpleasant to them in order to have revenge for something unpleasant that they did to you.
Hope this may help.
answered 14 hours ago
Hewie Glaire
212
answered 14 hours ago
Hewie Glaire
212
answered 14 hours ago
Hewie Glaire
212
answered 14 hours ago
Hewie Glaire
212
212
add a comment |
add a comment |
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Your title says "get back at him". Your screenshot shows "get back to him". Not the same thing.
– michael.hor257k
11 hours ago
1
Sai Kiran, you posted a similar question recently which was put on hold for not showing any evidence of research. I am flagging this question for closure for exactly the same reason. Please read How to Ask and take the EL&U Tour so that you understand what's expected on our site.
– Chappo
11 hours ago
I also think your questions might be better received at English Language Learners. That site was created for questions like this one.
– J.R.
7 hours ago