1 A2 neutral
To move in a circular path around something or someone.
"We had to go around the fallen tree blocking the road."
go around
B1 neutral transitive/intransitive
To move in a circular path; to be enough for everyone; or (of information/illness) to circulate.
In plain English
To go in a circle around something, or to be enough for all the people who want some.
What does "go around" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To be sufficient in quantity for everyone present.
"We only have five chairs — there aren't enough to go around."
3 B1 idiomatic neutral
To circulate or spread among a group, used of rumours, ideas, or illness.
"There's a nasty cold going around the office this week."
4 B1 informal
To visit or call on someone at their home.
"I'll go around to Sarah's place after dinner to drop off her keys."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To travel around (in a circle or arc).
Actually means
To go in a circle around something, or to be enough for all the people who want some.
Usage tip
Multiple distinct uses. 'There's enough to go around' (sufficient for all) is a very common fixed expression. 'A bug is going around' means an illness is spreading. 'Go around' someone/something means to travel in a path avoiding or encircling it.
Words that pair with "go around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
rumour illness idea table corner obstacle
How to conjugate "go around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
go around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
goes around
he/she/it
Past simple
went around
yesterday
Past participle
gone around
have + pp
-ing form
going around
continuous
Hear "go around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "go around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.