Get serious Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈɡɛt/, /ˈɡɪt/ /ˈsɪɹiəs

GET SEER-ee-uhs

UK

ɡˈɛt/ /sˈiəɹɪəs

get SEE-ree-uhs

Definition

To start acting in a more focused, determined, or responsible way; to stop joking or wasting time and treat something with importance.

Usage & Nuances

'Get serious' is informal, often used as advice or a command ('You need to get serious'). Common with work, relationships, and studies. Not as strong as 'be serious'—it signals a change in attitude. Used with 'about' (e.g., 'get serious about your health').

• Spanish: ponerse serio(a) - tomarse en serio
• Portuguese (BR): ficar sério - levar a sério
• Portuguese (PT): ficar sério - levar a sério
• Chinese (Simplified): 认真起来 - 严肃起来
• Chinese (Traditional): 認真起來 - 嚴肅起來
• Hindi: गंभीर हो जाना
• Arabic: تصبح جادًا - تأخذ الأمر بجدية
• Bengali: গম্ভীর হওয়া - সিরিয়াস হওয়া
• Russian: взяться всерьёз - стать серьёзным
• Japanese: 本気になる - 真剣になる
• Vietnamese: nghiêm túc - trở nên nghiêm túc
• Korean: 진지해지다
• Turkish: ciddileşmek
• Urdu: سنجیدہ ہونا
• Indonesian: menjadi serius - bersikap serius

Example Sentences

You need to get serious about your homework.

basic

It's time to get serious and study for the exam.

basic

They decided to get serious about saving money.

basic

If you want to make it work, you really have to get serious.

natural

At some point, we all have to get serious about our future.

natural

Come on, get serious—this is important!

natural