Get the hang of something means to learn how to do it and start doing it well. People say it about a skill that was hard at first but came with practice: new software, driving, skiing. I'm getting the hang of it means “I think I'm starting to get it”. The phrase is conversational and sounds natural in speech and in messages.
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get the hang of + noun/-ing/it; be getting the hang of it; it takes time to get the hang of + noun/-ing
- The new coffee machine looked complicated, but I got the hang of it in a day.
- Skiing was hard at first, but by Wednesday I was getting the hang of turning.
- Don't worry about the spreadsheet, you'll soon get the hang of it.
What changed
First versionAfter a week, I got the hang of use the new booking system.
RevisionAfter a week, I got the hang of using the new booking system.
After of, a verb takes -ing: the hang of using, the hang of driving. It's tempting to use the base form, as in learn to use or how to use. Only use was changed to using.
Get used to means to become accustomed to circumstances; get the hang of means to learn how to do something. Compare: I got used to the noise and I got the hang of the new software. You can only get used to noise, but with software you also have to learn how to handle it.
Your turn
Driving on the left felt strange at first, but after a week I ___ it.
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got the hang of — Driving on the left felt strange at first, but after a week it worked out, so got the hang of. This phrase needs the verb get; people don't say catch the hang of, even though catching on to something seems to fit.
Write about a skill that was hard for you at first. Say what exactly you couldn't do and how long it took you to get the hang of it.
At first I kept burning the pancakes, but after about two weeks of practice I got the hang of flipping them.
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