# gad about

CEFR C2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gad-about
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to travel from place to place for fun or pleasure, often instead of doing work.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "She is gadding about of the town." but "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'.

## Usage notes

- often used with 'around' instead of 'about' and frequently carries a disapproving tone.
- Teaching tip: 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.

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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.