GET AT

{v.} 1. To reach an understanding of; find out the meaning. * /This book is very hard to get at./ 2. To do harm to. * /The cat is on the chair trying to get at the canary./ Compare: GET BACK AT. 3. To have a chance to do; attend to. * /I hope I have time to get at my homework tonight./ Compare: GET TO(2). 4. To mean; aim at; hint at. * /What was Betty getting at when she said she knew our secret?/ * /What the teacher was getting at in this lesson was that it is important to speak correctly./ Syn.: DRIVE AT. Compare: GET ACROSS.