get around
C1Informal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
to move or travel to different places; to become known by many people
to avoid or circumvent something; to overcome obstacles or limitations; to spread information; to persuade someone through charm or manipulation
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Phrasal verb with multiple distinct meanings ranging from physical movement to information dissemination to problem avoidance. Context is crucial for interpretation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'get around' often implies social mobility or overcoming restrictions. In US English, it frequently emphasizes physical movement despite obstacles. 'Get round' is sometimes used in UK English where US would use 'get around'.
Connotations
UK: Can imply cunning or resourcefulness in social situations. US: Often has positive connotations of resilience and independence.
Frequency
Both varieties use it frequently, but US speakers might prefer 'get around' for physical movement more often than UK speakers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
get around (intransitive)get around something (transitive)get around to doing somethingget around someoneVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “get around the table”
- “get around the bush”
- “get around to it”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to finding ways to avoid regulations or achieve goals despite obstacles
Academic
Used to discuss information dissemination or methodological workarounds
Everyday
Most common for discussing transportation or spreading news
Technical
In computing, can refer to software workarounds or data propagation
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She gets around London by bicycle quite easily.
- Word got around the office about the promotion.
- We need to get around these planning restrictions.
American English
- He gets around the city using public transportation.
- News got around the neighborhood quickly.
- They found a way to get around the new regulations.
adverb
British English
- The document was passed get-around among departments.
- They worked get-around the clock to finish.
American English
- Information spread get-around through social media.
- They operated get-around the usual channels.
adjective
British English
- He's quite a get-around person, always travelling.
- She has a get-around attitude to problems.
American English
- She's very get-around, visiting multiple states monthly.
- Their get-around approach solved the issue.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I get around the city by bus.
- How do you get around without a car?
- The news got around the school quickly.
- We need to find a way to get around this problem.
- Despite the injury, she manages to get around quite well.
- They developed a clever method to get around the software limitations.
- The rumour got around the financial district before the official announcement.
- Legislation was drafted to get around the constitutional constraints.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a person GETting AROUND town – moving from place to place, or rumors GETting AROUND – moving from person to person.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSTACLES ARE BARRIERS TO MOVEMENT; INFORMATION IS A MOVING ENTITY
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить буквально как 'получить вокруг'
- Не путать с 'обойти' в смысле обмана
- В значении 'найти время' требует конструкции 'get around to doing'
Common Mistakes
- Using 'get around' without 'to' for future intentions
- Confusing 'get around' with 'get about' (more common in UK)
- Using transitive pattern for intransitive meaning
Practice
Quiz
What does 'get around to' specifically mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily informal to neutral. Avoid in very formal writing where alternatives like 'circumvent' or 'disseminate' might be more appropriate.
'Get about' is more common in British English and often focuses on physical mobility, while 'get around' is used in both varieties and has broader meanings including problem-solving.
Yes, particularly in American English: 'She can get around anyone with her charm' means she can persuade or influence people easily.
It must be followed by a gerund (-ing form) or noun: 'I'll get around to cleaning' or 'I'll get around to the report'. It implies delayed intention, not immediate action.