swing by

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle by

Meanings

1

Drop in briefly while passing through

Beside

Why “by”? Something stays near another thing.

“I'll swing by the office.”
I'll drop in briefly at the office on my way.
“I'll swing by your flat on my way home.”
I'll visit your flat briefly on my way home.
2

Visit briefly while travelling between places

Beside
“Could you swing by the shop?”
Could you make a brief stop at the shop?
“Could you swing by the post office?”
Could you make a brief stop at the post office?

Don't confuse with

swing byswing round

Swing by means drop in briefly while passing through. Swing round means rotate sharply on a pivot to face a new direction.

Test yourself

“I'll swing by the office.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

swing round

A contrast learners often mix up

Rotate sharply on a pivot to face a new direction

come by

Same by pattern: beside

Pay a brief visit to someone

drop by

Same by pattern: beside

Make a brief, casual visit; Make an unplanned brief visit

sit by

Same by pattern: beside

Take a seat close beside someone

stand by

Same by pattern: beside

Wait nearby, ready to act if needed; Stay loyal to what you said or promised; Wait, ready to act when needed; Watch without intervening

stay by

Same by pattern: beside

Continue to support or remain near someone

stop by

Same by pattern: beside

Make a brief, often unplanned visit

swing around

Same base verb: swing

Pivot quickly in a wide arc

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