be round
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle round
Meanings
Be in the opposite order or direction
Why “round”? Round can show a curved path, a change of direction, or being at a nearby place.
“It's the other way round.”
“The dates are the wrong way round.”
Be at someone's home or another nearby place for a short visit
Used mainly in British English. Around is also common.
“I'll be round at six to help with dinner.”
“Maya said she'd be round after work.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“It's the other way 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
be in
A contrast learners often mix up
Be present at home or at work
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; 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
look round
Same round pattern: circle
Inspect a place by looking in different directions
show round
Same round pattern: circle
Take someone on a tour of a place
spin round
Same round pattern: circle
Turn quickly to face a different direction
swing round
Same round pattern: circle
Rotate sharply on a pivot to face a new direction
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice “be round” in Sink In
Drill “be round” and 1,300+ other phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by the particle patterns that connect them.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
