plethora of meanings

'to get'

I was in class the other week and trying to teach this word to my students. We ran into trouble when I realized that this word meant so many different things. This word is pretty much used when there is a transaction of ideas, items, concepts, merchandise etc. I found 28 definitions in the dictionary. Here are a few examples:

1) to buy - I got new shoes yesterday.

2) to receive - Did you get that new gift from your mom?

3) to understand - Do you get today's assignment?

4) to be scolded - Your gonna get it when you come home.

5) to bring - Can you get the newspaper?

6) to cause - Can you get the fire going?

7) to hear - I didn't get your name? What was it again?

8) to seize - Get him!

9) to influence - We will get him to go with us.

10) to prepare - Can you get dinner ready?

11) to affect - That movie got to me.

12) to arrive- I got home very late.

13) to be permitted - Your so lucky you got to meet him.

14) to endure - I wonder if he can get through the winter.

No wonder why people have such a hard time learning English. How in the world are you suppose to understand that this one word can be used in all these situations!