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get about

B1 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To move around easily to different places, or for a story to be heard by many people.

Literal meaning: To get yourself about — to move yourself around to different places.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

To be able to move from place to place, especially when this involves some difficulty.

"She still gets about surprisingly well at ninety, using only a walking stick."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

For news, gossip, or information to spread informally among people.

"Word gets about quickly in a small town — by Monday everyone had heard the news."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 informal

To travel widely or have an active social life.

"He gets about a fair bit — you're likely to run into him at any event in the city."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Primarily British English. When used for a person, often implies mobility despite age or difficulty. When news 'gets about', it means it is spreading informally. Also used loosely to mean someone is socially active.

Commonly used with

news rumour town elderly independently word

Forms

Base
get about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gets about
he/she/it
Past simple
got about
yesterday
Past participle
got/gotten about
have + pp
-ing form
getting about
continuous

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Synonyms

get around travel around move about spread (of news) circulate go about

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