1 A2 neutral
To move around loosely inside a container, making a rattling noise.
"There's a coin rattling about in the tumble dryer — I should take it out."
inseparable
rattle about
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To make a rattling noise while moving loosely in a container; or (of a person) to live or move around in a space that is too large.
In plain English
When something shakes around making a noise inside a container; or when a person is alone in a house or space that feels much too big.
What does "rattle about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To live alone or move around in a space that feels far too large, giving a sense of emptiness or loneliness.
"After the children left home, she found herself rattling about in a five-bedroom house."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Something bouncing around inside a space and making a noise — like small objects in an almost-empty container.
Actually means
When something shakes around making a noise inside a container; or when a person is alone in a house or space that feels much too big.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. The sense of a person 'rattling about' in a large house is particularly common in British usage, often with a sympathetic or slightly sad tone (implying loneliness). The literal sense of an object making noise is self-explanatory.
Words that pair with "rattle about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
house box tin empty flat big house loose
How to conjugate "rattle about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rattle about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rattles about
he/she/it
Past simple
rattled about
yesterday
Past participle
rattled about
have + pp
-ing form
rattling about
continuous
Hear "rattle about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "rattle about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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