Get upset means to become unhappy or hurt, and sometimes annoyed. Get shows the moment your mood changes: She got upset when she saw the mark. Without get, upset describes a state: I'm upset.
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get upset about/over + something; get upset with + person; get upset when/if + situation; don't get upset
- My son gets upset when his team loses, even in a friendly match.
- Please don't get upset about the comments; the manager writes that to everyone.
- She got upset with me because I told her secret to my sister.
What changed
First versionShe got upset on me because I forgot her birthday.
RevisionShe got upset with me because I forgot her birthday.
On can seem to fit, but the person you're upset with is introduced with with: upset with me. The reason takes about or over: upset about the mark. The correction only changes the preposition.
Get angry means your anger comes out: He got angry and started shouting. Get upset is softer and more often about hurt and disappointment: She got upset and went quiet. If someone goes quiet or cries instead of shouting, upset is the better word.
Your turn
I got upset ___ the result of my exam, because I'd studied for weeks.
Show the answer
about — The speaker is upset about the exam result, an event rather than a person, so the answer is about. On doesn't go with upset, either for a reason or for a person.
Describe a time you got upset. Say what caused it and how you calmed down afterwards.
I got upset about missing my flight to Rome, but I calmed down after I found a cheap train ticket.
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