Get Up – Meaning and Examples
Your alarm clock rings in the morning. What do you do? You need to get up! This common idiom is used for waking and leaving your bed. It can also mean to stand up from a sitting position. Learning this phrase will help you talk about your daily routine and activities.
What Does “Get Up” Mean?
“Get up” has two main meanings. It means to wake up and leave your bed after sleeping. It also means to rise to a standing position from sitting or lying down.
Think of it like this: In the morning, you stop sleeping and get out of bed. That is getting up. When you stand from your chair, you are also getting up.
Remember, it is not the same as “wake up.” You can wake up but stay in bed. When you get up, you leave the bed.
When to Use It
You will use this idiom many times every day.
- Morning Routine: “I get up at 7 AM every day.”
- Standing: “Please get up when the judge enters the room.”
- Encouragement: “Come on, get up! We have to go.”
The tone is neutral and practical. It is perfect for informal, everyday conversations.
Example Sentences
- I have to get up early for work tomorrow.
- She fell down, but she got up quickly.
- What time did you get up this morning?
- Everyone got up to cheer for the team.
Mini Dialogue
Mom: “Time to get up, sleepyhead! You’ll be late for school.”
Leo: “Just five more minutes…”
Mom: “No, you need to get up now!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The main mistake is confusing “get up” with “wake up.” “Wake up” is when you stop sleeping. “Get up” is when you leave the bed.
❌ Don’t say: “I woke up at 7 AM and got up at 10 AM.” (This is correct, but people often confuse them). A mistake would be: “I get up when my eyes open.” (This describes waking up).
✅ Do say: “I wake up at 7 AM, but I don’t get up until 7:30.”
Practice Tip
Tell someone about your morning. Say, “I got up at [your time] today.” It’s a simple way to practice this essential phrase every day.
Final Note
This is one of the most common and useful phrases in English. You will use it to talk about your day, from morning to night. Keep using it, and it will become a natural part of your vocabulary!

