bring round: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “bring round” mean?
To revive someone from unconsciousness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To revive someone from unconsciousness; to make someone conscious again.
To persuade someone to adopt your point of view or accept your proposal; to cause someone to change their opinion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK English more commonly uses 'bring round'. In US English, the literal sense (revive) is often 'bring around' or 'bring to', while the figurative sense (persuade) is almost always 'bring around'.
Connotations
The 'persuade' sense in UK English can have a slightly more patient, conversational connotation, while the US 'bring around' may imply a more active campaign of persuasion.
Frequency
The phrase is more frequent in UK English. In US English, 'bring to' (revive) and 'win over' or 'convince' (persuade) are more common alternatives.
Grammar
How to Use “bring round” in a Sentence
[Subject] + bring round + [Object][Subject] + bring + [Object] + round + (to + [idea/opinion])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bring round” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The paramedics used oxygen to bring him round.
- After a long chat, I managed to bring her round to our plan.
American English
- They fanned her face to bring her around.
- It took months to bring the committee around to the new policy.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used informally in negotiations: 'We need to bring the client round to our proposed budget.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in literary analysis regarding persuasion of a character.
Everyday
Common for discussing reviving someone who fainted, or persuading a friend/family member.
Technical
Used in first-aid/medical contexts for the literal sense of reviving a patient.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bring round”
- Using 'bring round' for inanimate objects (e.g., 'bring round the car' – incorrect).
- Confusing with 'come round' (to visit or to regain consciousness).
- Omitting the object: 'She tried to bring round.' (Incorrect, needs 'him', 'me', etc.)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Bring round' is the standard UK form. 'Bring around' is the dominant US form, especially for the 'persuade' meaning. They are often considered variants.
No, it's used almost exclusively for people (to revive or persuade). For objects, you might say 'bring over' or 'bring across'.
Yes. You can say 'bring the patient round' or 'bring round the patient', though the first is more common. For persuasion, it's usually 'bring someone round to something'.
To 'put off', 'alienate', or 'turn someone against' an idea or person.
To revive someone from unconsciousness.
Bring round is usually informal to neutral in register.
Bring round: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪŋ ˈraʊnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪŋ ˈraʊnd/ or /ˌbrɪŋ əˈraʊnd/ for 'bring around'. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Use smelling salts to bring someone round”
- “Bring someone round to your point of view”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of bringing someone's awareness in a full CIRCLE (round) back to consciousness or to your opinion.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSCIOUSNESS IS PRESENCE (bring them back to 'here'); OPINION IS A LOCATION (bring them to your 'place' of thinking).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bring round' LEAST appropriate?