be round
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle round
Meanings
Available or applicable to everyone in a group
Why “round”? News, questions, or options travel round the circle from person to person.
“Drinks all round!”
“Free notebooks all round!”
In the reverse order or direction
Why “round”? Movement goes in a circle and returns to the start.
“It's the other way round.”
“The dates are the wrong way round.”
Don't confuse with
Be round means available or applicable to everyone in a group. Be after means be trying to find or get something.
Test yourself
“Drinks all round!” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
be after
A contrast learners often mix up
Be trying to find or get something
ask round
Same round pattern: sharing
Invite someone to visit one's home; Make enquiries among many people
get round
Same round pattern: circle
Travel from one place to another, especially when difficult; Persuade someone to do what you want by gentle means; Find a way to deal with or avoid a problem or rule
get round to round
Same round pattern: circle
Finally find time to do something postponed
go round
Same round pattern: circle
Travel in a circular path or loop; Of news or rumour, spread among a group
hand round
Same round pattern: sharing
Pass something from one person to another in a group
look round
Same round pattern: circle
Inspect a place by looking in different directions
pass round
Same round pattern: sharing
Send something from person to person in a group
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