# get around

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/get-around
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to travel

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to move from one place to another, or to visit many different places.

For teachers: to transport oneself from place to place or to travel extensively within a specific area.

- It is quite easy to get around the city using the underground train system.
- Since the city invested in a comprehensive bike-sharing scheme, residents have found it much more efficient to get around during rush hour.

Usage: Intransitive; does not take a direct object when meaning general travel.

### 2. to avoid a problem

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to find a way to deal with a problem or a rule without following it exactly.

For teachers: to circumvent or bypass an obstacle, regulation, or difficulty through ingenuity or evasion.

- They found a clever way to get around the new tax rules.
- The legal team spent weeks looking for a loophole that would allow the corporation to get around the strict environmental regulations.

Usage: Transitive; requires an object, usually a noun representing a rule or obstacle.

### 3. news spreading

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

when news or information becomes known by many people.

For teachers: to become known or circulated among a group of people; used of news, rumours, or reputations.

- Word soon got around that the shop was closing down for good.
- News of the merger quickly got around the office, leading to widespread speculation about potential job losses.

Usage: Intransitive; the subject is usually the news or information itself.

### 4. promiscuity

phrasal verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

to have many different sexual partners.

For teachers: to be sexually promiscuous by having many different partners.

- Back in college, there were plenty of rumours that he really got around.
- The tabloid media frequently published stories suggesting the young actor got around, though he rarely commented on his private life.

Teaching tip: This sense is often judgmental or critical; learners should use it with caution as it can be offensive.

## Examples

- It is very easy to get around London by bus.
- Since she sold her car, she finds it much harder to get around the city for work.
- The urban planning committee is focused on ensuring that elderly residents can get around the neighborhood without relying on private vehicles.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: contrast with 'get about' (British synonym) and 'commute' (specifically for work travel); this phrase focuses on the general ability to move within an area.

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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.