swing by

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle by

Usefulness

Meanings

Visit briefly while travelling between places

Besideamerican Englishinformal

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.

Don't confuse with

Swing by means visit briefly while travelling between places. 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; Get or find something, often when it is difficult

drop by

Same by pattern: beside

Make a brief, casual visit

sit by

Same by pattern: beside

Take a seat close beside someone

stand by

Same by pattern: beside

Wait, ready to act if needed; Stay loyal to what you said or promised; 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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