Get After It

Get after it means to get busy, start working, or jump into a task with energy. It’s used across the U.S., especially in rural and Southern talk, sports coaching, and work settings.

#Southernish

synonyms: get moving, get to work, go for it, hustle up

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I never heard 'get after it' growin' up. But I've heard Jeff Probst say it plenty.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I never heard 'get after it' growin' up. But I've heard Jeff Probst say it plenty.

Pronunciation

[GIT AF-tur it] /ɡɪt ˈæftər ɪt/

Meaning & Usage

- Start working hard; attack the task

Hazel:

Roof ain’t gonna fix itself.

Earl:

I know, I know - I’m ’bout to get after it.

variations: get after it now, get after ’em, get after that

Origin

The phrase "get after it" comes from early American frontier and work-talk, used to mean "go pursue the job or the goal with energy."

It spread nationally through sports coaching, military slang, and blue-collar culture. In the South and Appalachia, it became especially common in farm talk, construction work, and family chores.

Verdict: Southernish. Widely American, but strongly associated with rural and Southern motivation.

Notes

Often said by parents, coaches, bosses, or anyone urging someone to get moving.
Can sound encouraging, commanding, or playful depending on tone.
Appears in modern workout culture ("Time to get after it!").
Pairs well with sayings like "root hog or die" and "git ’er done."

Common Questions

Is "get after it" Southern?

It’s used everywhere, but very common in rural and Southern speech.

What does it mean?

To start working or tackle something with energy.

Is it old?

Older than it sounds - at least 19th century, kept alive in work-talk and sports.

Does it always mean "work"?

Mostly, but coaches also use it for effort, hustle, and intensity.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 12). Get After It. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/get-after-it
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Get After It." HillbillySlang.com, 12 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/get-after-it.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Get After It." HillbillySlang.com. November 12, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/get-after-it.

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