getting

getting — noun

1. the brief period during which it is still possible to leave a situation or seize

1.名詞B2
釋義

the brief period during which it is still possible to leave a situation or seize an opportunity before conditions turn unfavourable — the word only occurs in the fixed phrase 'while the getting is good'

例句

Samir sold his old laptop while the getting was good, before prices dropped further.

fixed phrase: while the getting was good (past tense variation)

The street musicians packed their instruments and left while the getting was still good.

文法句型

only in 'while the getting is good'

用法筆記

This noun only appears in the fixed phrase 'while the getting is good'. The word 'getting' cannot be replaced with a synonym (e.g. 'while the taking is good') and cannot be modified with adjectives or determiners. The verb tense in the phrase can shift to past ('was') or present ('is') depending on context.

常見錯誤

❌The getting was good so I left early.
✅I left early while the getting was good.
💡'getting' does not function as a standalone noun; it only works inside the fixed phrase 'while the getting is good'.
❌He left while the getting was great.
✅He left while the getting was good.
💡the adjective in the phrase is always 'good' and cannot be changed to a different adjective.