Definition of the word get at

The phrase "get at" has been part of the English language for over 400 years. It originated in the late 16th century and was used primarily as a nautical term. At the time, ships were often loaded to the brim, making it difficult to access the cargo at the bottom of the hold. To "get at" something meant to maneuver through the clutter and reach whatever was being sought. The term came from the idea of "gaining access" to something that was hard to reach. As ships became larger and cargo-handling techniques improved, the use of "get at" expanded beyond the realm of seafaring. It came to be used more generally to describe any situation in which one must overcome some obstacle or obstruction to reach a desired objective. Today, "get at" is a common verb with multiple meanings, including "understand," "provoke," and "address."