Get going means to leave, set off or start doing something. I'd better get going is a polite way to end a visit or conversation. Let's get going means let's go, let's start.
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I'd better / I should get going; let's get going; get going on + task; get something going
- It's almost eleven, so I'd better get going before the last train leaves.
- We need to get going on the presentation if we want to finish it by Friday.
- It took ten minutes to get the old car going on such a cold morning.
What changed
First versionThanks for the tea, but it's late and I have to move.
RevisionThanks for the tea, but it's late and I have to get going.
I have to move can seem a natural way to say it's time to leave. But move on its own is first heard as changing home: I have to move means I need to move house. To say it's time to leave, use get going.
Keep going means almost the opposite: to continue, not stop. You're nearly at the finish, keep going! Get going means to start moving or to leave; keep going means not to stop what you've already started.
Your turn
We've been in the café for two hours and the last bus leaves at ten, so we should ___.
Show the answer
get going — The last bus is at ten, so it's time to head out of the café: get going. Keep going would mean to continue, that is, to stay longer, but they need to do the opposite and leave.
Write what you'd say to politely end a visit to friends. Give a reason why you have to leave.
Thanks for dinner, it was lovely, but I'd better get going because I start work at seven tomorrow.
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