What is "get at"

vb. 1 To manage to gain access to. 2 To understand or ascertain by investigation. 3 To mean, signify. 4 To attack verbally or physically; to annoy, bother. 5 To persuade by intimidation, to tamper with. 6 (context slang English) To contact someone.

1. v. reach or gain access to; "How does one access the attic in this house?"; "I cannot get to the T.V. antenna, even if I climb on the roof" [syn: access]

2. influence by corruption

3. cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations; "Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me"; "It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves" [syn: annoy, rag, get to, bother, irritate, rile, nark, nettle, gravel, vex, chafe, devil]