gad about
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to travel from place to place for fun or pleasure, often instead of doing work.
phrasal verb. to travel or wander restlessly and aimlessly from one place to another in pursuit of pleasure or social activity; carries a connotation of frivolity or irresponsibility.
He spends all his time gadding about instead of studying.
While her colleagues were stuck in the office, she was gadding about the city visiting various art galleries.
The local press criticised the mayor for gadding about at international conferences while the city's infrastructure continued to crumble.
often used with 'around' instead of 'about' and frequently carries a disapproving tone.
this is a relatively rare, old-fashioned phrasal verb; teach it as a way to express mild annoyance at someone's constant socialising or travel.
She is gadding about of the town.She is gadding about the town.the phrase acts as a transitive phrasal verb or is followed by a location without an extra preposition like 'of'.
Last updated April 24, 2026