work around
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle around
Meanings
Find a way past an obstacle
Why “around”? The path bends to avoid an obstacle instead of passing through it.
“We'll have to work around the missing part until a new one arrives.”
“They worked around the broken lift all week.”
“Leo worked around the broken office computer by using a laptop for the presentation.”
Don't confuse with
Work around means find a way past an obstacle. Work away means keep working steadily for a long time.
Test yourself
“We'll have to work around the missing part until a new one arrives.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
work away
A contrast learners often mix up
Keep working steadily for a long time
beat around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid the main point by being indirect (beat around the bush)
dance around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid a topic by being evasive
get around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid a rule or difficulty; Travel or move about; (of news) become widely known; Find time to do something
go around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Take a longer path to avoid something; Move in a circular path; Be enough for everyone in a group; Behave in a particular way habitually; (of an illness) be common in a community
manoeuvre around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Steer skilfully around an obstacle
skirt around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Avoid by detouring round the edge
talk around
Same around pattern: avoiding
Discuss without addressing directly
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