get worse – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever had a cold that started with a sniffle—but by day three, you couldn’t get out of bed? Or seen a small problem at work grow into a major crisis? In English, we say the situation got worse. This straightforward phrase is used whenever something declines, deteriorates, or becomes more serious over time.
What Does “Get Worse” Mean?
“Get worse” means to become more severe, negative, or difficult. It’s used for health, emotions, weather, relationships, finances—almost any situation that can decline. Think of it like a graph trending downward: things were bad, and now they’re even worse. The phrase focuses on change over time, not a single bad moment.
When to Use It
Use “get worse” in everyday, emotional, or warning conversations:
• When talking about health: “My cough got worse overnight.”
• When describing problems or conflicts: “If we ignore this, it’ll only get worse.”
• In news or updates: “The flooding got worse after the second storm.”
It’s neutral—common in speaking, texts, doctor visits, and news reports. Avoid it for static situations (use “is bad” instead of “gets worse” if nothing is changing).
Example Sentences
- Her headache got worse as the day went on.
- If you don’t talk to him, the misunderstanding will get worse.
- The traffic jam got worse after the accident.
- I hope the weather doesn’t get worse before we leave.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “You sound congested.”
Jamie: “Yeah, it got worse last night. I couldn’t sleep at all.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “get worse” when you mean “is bad right now.” It always implies a change or progression. Also, remember: “worse” is the comparative form of “bad”—so you don’t say “more worse.”
❌ Don’t say: “My phone battery is getting more worse.”
✅ Do say: “The pain is getting worse.”
✅ Do say: “Things can’t get much worse—but I hope they improve soon.”
Practice Tip
Next time you notice something declining—a sore throat, a delay, a mood—say: “It’s getting worse.” Or use it preventively: “If we don’t act now, it’ll get worse.” Using the phrase in real moments builds accurate, natural fluency.
Final Note
Now you can use “get worse” to describe decline with clarity and concern—just like native speakers do. It’s a phrase full of realism and urgency, used daily in health, work, and life updates. Keep listening for it in news, doctor visits, and honest conversations. You’re not just learning English—you’re learning how people talk about problems before they grow. Keep going—you’ve got this!
