What does ‘i'll get back to you’ actually mean?

"I'll get back to you" is a promise with a very low fulfilment rate. Studies on email behaviour consistently show that messages deferred with "I'll get back to you" are among the least likely to receive a follow-up. This isn't because people are dishonest — it's because the phrase is used at the exact moment when someone doesn't have the information, authority, or bandwidth to respond, and those conditions often don't improve.

The genuine version of this phrase looks like: "I need to check something / talk to someone / run the numbers before I can give you an answer." There's a specific blocker, and the person intends to resolve it. You can identify the genuine version by its specificity. "I'll get back to you after I talk to the engineering team" is far more likely to result in a follow-up than "I'll get back to you." The presence of a concrete next step indicates real intent.

The avoidance version looks like: "I'll get back to you" in response to a question the person doesn't want to answer right now or possibly ever. This is common when someone is asked to make a commitment they're not ready for, approve something they're not sure about, or respond to a complaint they don't know how to address. "I'll get back to you" buys time without creating conflict.

From a manager, this phrase usually falls somewhere in between. They probably do intend to follow up, but their day is full of competing demands, and your item may slip. If it's important to you, set a polite reminder for yourself.

From a client or prospect, "I'll get back to you" can be a genuine deferral or a slow fade. Clients who are actively evaluating your proposal will usually offer a timeline. Clients who are losing interest just say they'll get back to you and then don't.

The most useful response: "Sounds good — is there a good time for me to check back if I haven't heard?" This converts an open-ended deferral into a timeboxed one, and it does so without being pushy.