Go Around – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever walked around a parked car, heard a rumor spreading through your office, or wondered if there’s enough pizza for everyone? In English, all of these situations can involve the phrase go around! This versatile phrasal verb has three common meanings: (1) to move in a circular path or avoid an obstacle, (2) to be shared or distributed fairly among a group, and (3) to spread (as in news, rumors, or illness).
What Does “Go Around” Mean?
“Go around” can mean different things depending on context:
1. To move in a circle or bypass something—like going around a construction zone.
2. To be enough for everyone—as in “Is there enough food to go around?”
3. To spread or circulate—like a cold going around the office or gossip going around school.
Think of it like something moving—not in a straight line, but in loops, shares, or ripples. The phrase is practical, everyday, and widely used in real-life English.
When to Use It
Use this phrase in casual or neutral conversations:
• For movement: “We had to go around the flooded street.”
• For sharing resources: “There weren’t enough chairs to go around.”
• For spreading information or illness: “A flu is going around—wash your hands!”
It’s common in daily life, news, and group settings—great for both spoken and written informal English.
Example Sentences
- The traffic was bad, so we went around the city center.
- There’s cake for everyone—don’t worry, it’ll go around.
- A rumor is going around that the company is moving offices.
- Hand sanitizer is going around because so many people are sick.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Did you hear about the office party?”
Jamie: “Yes! The invitation went around this morning.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “go around” to mean “visit casually” (that’s “go around to” in British English, e.g., “I’ll go around to her house”—but this is rare in American English). Also, “go around” for spreading is usually used with illnesses, rumors, or trends—not facts or formal announcements.
❌ Don’t say: “I’ll go around to the store.” (Use “go to” in US English.)
✅ Do say: “A cold is going around school.”
Practice Tip
Next time you hear a rumor, see a detour, or pass out snacks, say: “It’s going around” or “We had to go around.” It’s a natural way to use this flexible phrase in American English.
Final Note
Now you can use “go around” to talk about movement, sharing, and spreading with confidence! Whether you’re navigating traffic, sharing cookies, or warning about a bug, this phrase fits perfectly. Keep using it—and stay aware of what’s going around!