“Get to do something”

Question

What's the meaning of "get to do something"?

I get to spend a lot of time with you and the kids.

sapphiremirage · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-13 01:13:26Z

To "get to do" something means that you are enabled or given the opportunity to do something.

Example 1 - A circumstance or choice enables you to do something:

Why do you work at home?

I get to spend a lot of time with you and the kids.

Example 2 - Being given an opportunity:

Has anything good come out of this week-long snowstorm?

I get to spend a lot of time with you and the kids.

Sometimes this phrase is used sarcastically to mean "I am being forced to do something that I don't want to do". For example:

I get to grade 40 tests this weekend!

should be interpreted as something along the lines of

I'd rather be doing something else, but I must grade 40 tests this weekend.

psmears · Answer 2 · 2011-03-12 17:57:01Z

up vote 4 down vote

In this context it means have the opportunity to:

I have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with you and the kids.

answered Mar 12 '11 at 17:57

psmears
9,08412339

mplungjan · Answer 3 · 2011-03-12 17:49:46Z

up vote 2 down vote

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/get
21: to succeed, become enabled, or be permitted: You get to meet a lot of interesting people.

answered Mar 12 '11 at 17:49

mplungjan
8,6631429

	So it is the same as "I can spend a lot of time with you and the kids"? – an0 Mar 12 '11 at 17:56
	@an0 yes, you are enabled or permitted to spend the time – mplungjan Mar 13 '11 at 16:47

n0nChun · Answer 4 · 2011-03-12 18:54:00Z

up vote 0 down vote

That would simply mean that, You are now able to do it.

answered Mar 12 '11 at 18:54

n0nChun
1,493517

4 Answers