THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Get the hang of it
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To learn how to do something so that it becomes easier, usually through practice.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- This app felt confusing at first, but you will get the hang of it with practice.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 1 checked correctly
Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
This app felt confusing at first, but you will ________ with practice.
Show the answer
Get the hang of it — To learn how to do something so that it becomes easier, usually through practice.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Get the hang of it” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To learn how to do something so that it becomes easier, usually through practice.
Compare: This app felt confusing at first, but you will get the hang of it with practice.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use get the hang of it when a task is unfamiliar at first but starts to make sense through trying it. It is informal and often encouraging, so it suits conversations with friends, classmates and colleagues. For a formal progress report, you could say learn how to use it or develop the necessary skill.
More examples in context
- I am getting the hang of using formulas in my spreadsheet.
- After a few lessons, Mira got the hang of changing gears on her bicycle.
Usage note
Keep the: say get the hang of it, not get a hang of it. After of, use a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form: get the hang of the software, get the hang of it, or get the hang of using it. Avoid get the hang to use it. Make sure your listener knows what it refers to. The past form of get is got.
A short conversation
Leena: I keep putting the labels in the wrong place in this design app.
Sam: Try dragging them from the centre instead of the edge.
Leena: That works! I think I am getting the hang of it.
Sam: Great. Try making one more label on your own.
One more practice question
Which sentence uses the expression correctly?
A. I am getting the hang of editing videos.
B. I am getting the hang to edit videos.
Check your answer
A. The pattern is get the hang of followed by a noun, pronoun or -ing form. Here, editing names the activity being learned.
Related lessons
- Learn the ropes — compare learning a job’s routines with getting used to a particular skill.
- Go the extra mile — describe making an additional effort to help someone.
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary: get the hang of something. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.