Cool MateGet going vs Move your ass
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Get going
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Move your ass
SlangBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Get goingMost common: Get going
| Get going | Move your ass | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡɛt ˈɡəʊɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ɡɛt ˈɡoʊɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //muːv jɔːr æs//🇺🇸 //muːv jɔʊr æs// |
| Meaning | to start moving or doing something | Get going or hurry up. |
| Example | We should really get going if we want to catch the bus. | You need to move your ass if you want to catch the bus! |
| Register | Informal | Slang |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | get going on time, get going now, get going with enthusiasm | move your body, move quickly, move faster |
| Antonyms | stop, halt | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'go on' meaning to continue, 'Get going' misused in formal situations | Used in formal situations where it sounds disrespectful., Confusing with 'move your feet', which is not the same expression., Misinterpreted as a polite request. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations to encourage someone to start an activity. Not suitable for formal contexts. | Used informally to encourage someone to hurry. May be offensive to some; context matters. |
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Frequently asked questions: Get going vs Move your ass
What's the difference between Get going and Move your ass?
Get going: to start moving or doing something Move your ass: Get going or hurry up.
Which is more formal: Get going and Move your ass?
Get going is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Get going and Move your ass?
Get going is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Get going: We should really get going if we want to catch the bus. Move your ass: You need to move your ass if you want to catch the bus!
Can I use Get going and Move your ass interchangeably?
Not always. Get going and Move your ass are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.