# call around

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/call-around
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to phone several different people or places to get information or find something you need.

For teachers: to make multiple telephone calls to various individuals or organizations, typically for the purpose of gathering data, comparing prices, or locating a specific item.

## Examples

- I'll call around to find the best price for a new car.
- After my bike was stolen, I had to call around all the local shops to see if anyone had seen it.
- The administrative assistant spent the entire morning calling around to various vendors to secure a last-minute catering contract for the conference.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I called around the plumber." but "I called around for a plumber." — you call around 'to' people or 'for' a service; you do not usually 'call around' a single person as a direct object.

## Usage notes

- this is an intransitive phrasal verb, though it is often followed by 'to' when indicating a purpose.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'call back' or 'call up'; 'around' suggests a circular or distributive action, reaching out to many points rather than just one.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.