Academic English #53. get the hang of it: to get the hang of something; to become proficient

Get the hang of it means “to get the hang of something” or “to become familiar with it.” It is used in situations where something is difficult or awkward at first, but you gradually become more skillful by repeating it.

In English-speaking contexts, it is a practical expression often used not only in everyday conversation but also in professional conferences and research settings.

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3 everyday conversation examples

• Riding a bike was hard at first, but now I’ve got the hang of it.

• The new phone features were confusing, but I got the hang of them in a few days.

• The game is tricky, but you’ll get the hang of it after a few tries.

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3 academic/professional English examples

• It took some time to operate the new research equipment, but I finally got the hang of it.

• Preparing for the conference presentation was overwhelming at first, but I gradually got the hang of it.

• Learning how to use the statistical software wasn’t easy, but now I handle it well.