The word "get steeper" is spelled with /ɛ/ and /i/ vowels. The first vowel sound is pronounced as "eh" like in the word "bed". The second vowel, on the other hand, is pronounced as "ee" like in the word "feet". These two vowels make up the first syllable of the word "get". The second syllable is spelled with /st/ consonant blend and /i/ vowel, pronounced as "steep-er". The word means that something is becoming more inclined or having a higher gradient.
The phrase "get steeper" refers to a gradual or sudden increase in the incline or gradient of a surface or object. It typically describes a situation where the angle of ascent or descent becomes more pronounced or steep over time or distance.
When used in reference to a physical landscape, such as a hill or a mountain, "get steeper" implies that the upward or downward slope of the terrain becomes more intense. This can be due to various factors such as the folding of layers in rock formations, erosion, or the natural topography of the land. As the slope becomes steeper, it generally requires more effort and exertion to ascend or descend.
The term "get steeper" can also be metaphorically applied to represent a change in a non-physical context. For instance, in financial contexts, it may describe an increase in the rate or degree at which prices or costs are rising or falling. Similarly, in abstract concepts such as challenges, difficulties, or learning curves, "get steeper" refers to a transition from an easier or manageable situation to a more challenging or demanding one.
In summary, "get steeper" is a phrase used to convey an increase in the steepness of a slope, whether it be literal or figurative. It illustrates a development towards a more challenging or intense state, either physically or metaphorically.
The phrase "get steeper" does not have a fixed etymology because it is a combination of two words: "get" and "steeper", both of which have their own separate origins.
1. Get: The word "get" has a complex etymology as it originated from Old Norse "geta" which means "to obtain". It was later influenced by Old English "gietan" and Middle English "geten", which both carry the sense of "acquire" or "procure". Over time, "get" has evolved into a versatile verb that can express various meanings such as "to receive", "to become", "to understand", "to fetch", and so on.
2. Steeper: The word "steeper" is derived from the adjective "steep".