get around
phrasal verb·4 senses·particle around
Meanings
Avoid a rule or difficulty
Why “around”? The path bends to avoid an obstacle instead of passing through it.
“He always finds a way to get around the rules.”
“The company got around the tax rule with a loophole.”
“We got around the broken bridge by taking the forest road.”
Travel or move about
Why “around”? A person stays near a place or group, or moves among several places.
“She gets around by bicycle.”
“He gets around town on an old scooter.”
“After his injury, he gets around with a cane.”
(of news)become widely known
Why “around”? Something moves from person to person. Soon many people have it or know it.
“News of the scandal got around fast.”
“The story got around the village.”
Find time to do something
Why “around”? A planned task is done only after time or opportunity becomes available.
“Did you get around to calling the bank?”
“She never got around to painting the door.”
Don't confuse with
Get around means avoid a rule or difficulty. Get away means escape from a place or situation.
Get around and get round are regional variants here. Both mean travel from one place to another.
Get around means travel or move about. Get about means move around or travel in general.
Test yourself
“He always finds a way to get around the rules.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
get about
A contrast learners often mix up
Move around or travel in general
get away
A contrast learners often mix up
Escape from a place or situation; Take a short holiday; Avoid being caught or punished for something
get round
A contrast learners often mix up
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
ask around
Same around pattern: sharing
Ask several different people in order to find information
be around
Same around pattern: nearby
Be present in the locality
beat around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid the main point by being indirect (beat around the bush)
circulate around
Same around pattern: sharing
Pass through a group of people
cluster around
Same around pattern: nearby
Form a tight group near something
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “get around”.
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