Get It While the Gettin’s Good

Get it while the gettin’s good means take advantage of the chance while the chance exists. A modern American saying that sounds right at home in Southern talk, though it’s used all over.

#Southernish

synonyms: strike while the iron’s hot, seize the moment, make hay while the sun shines

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Get it while the gettin’s good' does actually sound and feel Southern.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Get it while the gettin’s good' does actually sound and feel Southern.

Pronunciation

[GET it wile thuh GET-in’s GOOD] /ɡɛt ɪt waɪl ðə ˈɡɛtɪnz ɡʊd/

Meaning & Usage

- Act while conditions are favorable (advice or warning)

Liz:

The weather’s perfect-sales are up.

Ross:

Then get it while the gettin’s good.

variations: get while the gettin’s good, get out while the getting’s good

Origin

The phrase appears in early 20th-century American print as "get out while the getting’s good," advising prompt action while favorable conditions last. Over time it became "get it while the gettin’s good." Its usage spans the U.S., showing up in business, rural life, and music (notably a 1967 country song). Though not born in the South, its plain-spoken style and flavor make it a natural fit in Southern and rural speech.

Verdict: Southernish. A nationwide idiom that works especially well in Southern talk’s folksy cadence.

Notes

Often used when conditions are favorable, but may not last.
Familiar in rural, sales, and opportunity contexts ("get while the getting’s good").
Suitable for both serious advice and casual comment in Southern speech.
Not exclusive to the South; used across American and English speech.

Common Questions

What does "get it while the gettin’s good" mean?

It means take advantage of an opportunity while you still can.

Is it a Southern saying?

Not exclusively. It’s widely used in American English but fits naturally in Southern speech.

When should you use it?

When conditions are favorable and you want to act before they change.

Any regional origin?

Early 1900s U.S. print shows it in broad use; there’s no definitive Southern origin.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 20). Get It While the Gettin’s Good. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/get-it-while-the-gettins-good
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Get It While the Gettin’s Good." HillbillySlang.com, 20 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/get-it-while-the-gettins-good.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Get It While the Gettin’s Good." HillbillySlang.com. October 20, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/southernish/get-it-while-the-gettins-good.

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