get with the program

English

Alternative forms

• get with the programme (UK)

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

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Verb

get with the program

1. (US, idiomatic, informal) To become organized, current, or aware.

   When the student was behind on his vocabulary, the teacher said, "get with the program!"

2. (US, idiomatic, informal) To work productively toward the objective of a shared enterprise, especially after the objective or the environment has changed.

   Though natural gas prices dropped, the folks doing solar didn't get with the program.

3. (US, idiomatic, informal) To comply with the norms of a social group, especially a shared enterprise.

   Dude, get with the program! We don't do casual Fridays any more.

Synonyms

• (become aware): get a clue
• (become organized): be on top of things
• get/be on the same page

See also

• get one's act together