1 B1 idiomatic informal
To make a brief, informal stop somewhere, especially as a casual detour on the way to another destination.
"I'll swing by the bakery on my way home and pick up some bread."
inseparable
swing by
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To make a brief, informal stop at a place, usually as a detour while travelling somewhere else.
In plain English
To quickly visit a place for a short time while you are going somewhere else.
What does "swing by" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To visit someone informally and briefly, without much advance planning.
"Feel free to swing by my office any time this afternoon."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To swing past a location — passing it in a curved arc, like a pendulum passing a point.
Actually means
To quickly visit a place for a short time while you are going somewhere else.
Usage tip
Very common in American English informal speech. Used to suggest a casual, unplanned, or quick visit. Often heard in phrases like 'I'll swing by your place later.' Slightly more energetic in feel than 'stop by.'
Words that pair with "swing by"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
place office store house shop later
How to conjugate "swing by"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
swing by
I/you/we/they
3rd person
swings by
he/she/it
Past simple
swinged by
yesterday
Past participle
swinged by
have + pp
-ing form
swinging by
continuous
Hear "swing by" in the wild
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