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You Best Get to It

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "You best get to it" means "You’d better get started" - an authentic form built on the older-English use of "best" for "had better."

#SouthernSayings   #Appalachia   #Southern   #ScoldingandTeasing

synonyms: get started, get going, start working

Pronunciation

[YOO BEST GET TO IT] /juː bɛst ɡɛt tə ɪt/

Meaning & Usage

- Imperative / Encouragement (imperative phrase)

Encouraging work
Papaw:
Rain’s comin’, best get to it if you want that hay in.

Toby:
Yes, sir.

variations: you’d better get started, best git to it
★ Variants like "best be gettin’ to it" or "best git to it" are also authentic and can be noted as examples inside the page. ★

Origin and Etymology

From older English "had best get to it" that persisted in Southern/Appalachian English. Common in rural and work-related contexts, especially chores and farm tasks.

Usage Notes

Still common in the South/Appalachia. Outside the region it’s easily understood but carries a colloquial, rustic flavor.

Say It Like a Southerner

Say it natural: "Best get to it" or "You best get to it," sometimes with "git" for "get."

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "Best get to it" mean the same as "You’d better get started"?
Yes - it’s the authentic Southern/Appalachian form.
Can you say "Best git to it"?
Absolutely - "git" is a natural variant of "get."
Is it still used today?
Yes - especially in rural or work-related speech.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). You Best Get to It. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/you-best-get-to-it
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "You Best Get to It." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/you-best-get-to-it.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "You Best Get to It." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/you-best-get-to-it.
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