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put it about

B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To tell a lot of people something, especially gossip; or to have sex with many different people.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To spread a piece of information, rumor, or story among many people.

"Someone has been putting it about that the company is going to close — but it's just a rumor."

Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 idiomatic slang

To be sexually promiscuous; to have many sexual partners.

"People in the village said he had been putting it about since his divorce."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Primarily British English. In the information-spreading sense, often implies rumor or unofficial news. The promiscuity sense is mildly vulgar and should be used with care. 'It' is fixed in the phrase.

Commonly used with

rumor word news gossip story town

Forms

Base
put it about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puts it about
he/she/it
Past simple
put it about
yesterday
Past participle
put it about
have + pp
-ing form
putting it about
continuous

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Synonyms

spread around circulate let it be known gossip broadcast

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