wheel about
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To suddenly turn around to face the other way.
Literal meaning: To move in a circular arc like a wheel turning.
Meanings
1 C1 formal
To turn suddenly and sharply to face a new direction.
"He wheeled about when he heard his name called from across the hall."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
More common in literary and historical writing than in everyday speech. Largely interchangeable with 'wheel around' but has a slightly more old-fashioned or formal tone. Can also describe a group of people or soldiers turning to face a new direction.
Commonly used with
soldiers horse crowd person troops
Forms
Base
wheel about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wheels about
he/she/it
Past simple
wheeled about
yesterday
Past participle
wheeled about
have + pp
-ing form
wheeling about
continuous
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