Phrasal Verb - Getting around
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.Definition
The phrasal verb "get around" is highly versatile and carries several distinct meanings, depending on the context in which it's used:
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To move from place to place; to travel or be mobile: This is often used when discussing transportation, an individual's physical ability to move independently, or the ease of navigating a specific area or city. It can refer to physical movement or the means of achieving it.
- Example: "It's easy to get around the city with the subway system."
- Example: "After her knee surgery, she found it difficult to get around without crutches for a few weeks."
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To circumvent, avoid, or find a way to deal with a rule, problem, obstacle, or difficulty: This meaning implies finding a loophole, an alternative solution, a strategy to bypass an issue, or a method to overcome a challenge without directly confronting it in the conventional manner. It suggests ingenuity in avoiding direct conflict or obstruction.
- Example: "They tried to get around the strict building regulations by submitting a slightly revised plan with minor changes."
- Example: "There's no way to get around the fact that we missed the deadline; we just have to accept the consequences."
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To become widely known or spread (of news, information, rumors, or diseases): This refers to the dissemination of information, gossip, or the propagation of something like an illness among a population, often happening quickly and broadly.
- Example: "News of their engagement quickly got around the entire office, even before they officially announced it."
- Example: "The flu virus tends to get around quickly in schools, especially during winter months."
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(Informal, often derogatory) To be sexually promiscuous; to have many sexual partners: This meaning implies a person frequently engaging in sexual relationships with different individuals. Note: This usage can be considered offensive and should be used with caution.
- Example: "He has a bit of a reputation for getting around, if you know what I mean."
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To visit many different places or people (socially or for exploration): This implies being active in a social scene, making rounds, or exploring various locations within an area or during a trip.
- Example: "While on vacation, we really got around and saw all the major historical sights and museums."
- Example: "She loves to get around and meet new people at various social gatherings and parties."
Examples
| No. | Example |
|---|---|
| 1 | It's incredibly easy to get around Paris thanks to its efficient metro system. |
| 2 | My grandmother struggles to get around her house without assistance after her fall. |
| 3 | The company tried to get around the new environmental regulations by reclassifying their waste. |
| 4 | You can't get around the truth; sooner or later, everyone will know what happened. |
| 5 | News of the scandal quickly began to get around the small town. |
| 6 | Be careful; that nasty stomach bug is really getting around the kindergarten class. |
| 7 | She loves to get around to all the local art galleries and exhibitions. |
| 8 | Despite the heavy snow, the city's snowplows helped us to get around without much delay. |
| 9 | There was no way to get around the fact that they needed to secure more funding for the project. |
| 10 | The rumor about the merger got around very quickly, causing a lot of speculation among employees. |