The idiomatic phrase get religion historically meant (1) to become religious or (2) to end one’s immoral behavior. It still carries those definitions in modern usage, but it also means (1) to get serious about an issue and devote proper attention to it, and (2) to reform one’s view toward something. The idiom is usually followed by a preposition. About and on work best.
The derivation of the modern definition of get religion is obvious. To get religion in the older sense is to see the light of God, set aside one’s wanton ways, and get serious about living morally. The modern sense of get religion denotes a similar process, but without the God part.
The OED lists get religion as an American idiom, but we’ve found several examples from elsewhere in the English-speaking world. The oldest examples of what we’re calling the modern sense of get religion in searchable texts are apparently from the 1950s, though we could be missing some older ones.
Examples
If you need more context for any of these to make sense, click the link:
It wasn’t until the very end of his term that Rae appeared to get religion on spending control. [London Free Press]
At age 36, advised by a life insurance carrier that my future was not insurable, I got religion about fitness. [Ocala Star-Banner (1990)]
… President Obama treated deficit reduction mostly as a pesky afterthought, but then he got religion after the 2010 election shellacking that gave Republicans control of the House. [USA Today]
It’s nice to see that the Ford campaign is getting religion on the defense issue. [Wall Street Journal (1976) (pay-per-view content)]
The Army gets religion about improving its handling of returning National Guard troops [Oregon Live]
