put around
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To tell a story or piece of news to many different people, or to wrap or place something around something else.
Literal meaning: To place something in a position surrounding an object.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To spread a story, rumour, or piece of information among many people.
"Someone put it around that the boss was planning to fire half the team, and everyone panicked."
Grammar: separable
2 A2 neutral
To place something so that it surrounds or encircles something else.
"She put a blanket around the child's shoulders to keep him warm."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
The information-spreading sense is more common in American English, while 'put about' covers similar ground in British English. The physical sense (wrap around) is literal and transparent.
Commonly used with
rumour word story fence ribbon arm
Forms
Base
put around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts around
he/she/it
Past simple
put around
yesterday
Past participle
put around
have + pp
-ing form
putting around
continuous
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