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swing by

B1 informal inseparable intransitive

In simple words

To quickly visit a place for a short time while you are going somewhere else.

Literal meaning: To swing past a location — passing it in a curved arc, like a pendulum passing a point.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic informal

very common

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."

Grammar: inseparable

2 B1 idiomatic informal

very common

To visit someone informally and briefly, without much advance planning.

"Feel free to swing by my office any time this afternoon."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

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.'

Commonly used with

place office store house shop later

Forms

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

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Synonyms

stop by drop by pop in call in come by visit briefly

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