gather (a)round (someone or something)

1. To convene or assemble around a particular person or thing. All of the kids eagerly gathered around Santa Claus. Come on, fellas, gather round the campfire! Everyone, gather round—I only want to give these instructions once.

2. To cause people to convene or assemble around oneself or a particular person or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "gather" and "(a)round." Santa Claus gathered all of the children around himself to hand out gifts. Please gather everyone around the table for dessert. Once I put out the birthday cake, can you gather the kids around it?

gather a case

To compile evidence that supports an argument or charges against someone or something. The job of the prosecutor is to gather a case to prove that the defendant is guilty. We're trying to gather a case because many employees have been wrongly terminated by the company. I know you're trying to gather a case against Todd, but all the trivial things you're rattling off are just not a big deal to anyone else in the department.

gather dust

To be unused or forgotten, especially for a long period of time. My writing skills have been gathering dust ever since I got this job in the IT department. My grandfather still insists on writing letters by hand, while the laptop I got him gathers dust in the corner of the kitchen. Every time the kids get a new gaming system, the old one is totally forgotten and left to gather dust.

See also: dust, gather

gather in

To bring someone or something in to some place or thing. A noun or pronoun can be used between "gather" and "in." Gather in the kids and I'll get the cake. The CEO's receptionist gathered us in for the meeting. Please gather everyone in for dessert.

gather rosebuds

To act and enjoy oneself now, before one's situation changes. The phrase refers to Robert Herrick's 17th-century poem "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," which contains the line, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may." Gather rosebuds now, because you never know what tomorrow will bring. Youth is a fleeting thing, so gather rosebuds while you can. Gather rosebuds in college, because you'll be in the "real world" soon enough, and it's a total drag.

gather steam

To gradually grow in strength, momentum, power, influence, etc. Though few believed that the independence campaign would have a chance of succeeding, lately it's been gathering steam. They've been sluggish in the first half, but the team has finally started gathering steam. Our research project needs to gather steam, and fast, or we won't get funding next semester.

gather together

1. To group together in one place or thing. Gather together in the conference room—Dave will be here in a minute. Everybody, gather together behind the couch so we can jump out and yell "Surprise!" when Mom gets here. We're supposed to gather together in the faculty lounge at 2:00, right?

2. To group someone or something in one place or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "group" and "together." Gather the kids together in the playroom, and I'll bring in the cake. I gathered my books together and left the library. Clearly, you've never had to gather toddlers together if you think this is going to be quick or easy!

gather up

1. To collect or assemble certain things. A noun or pronoun can be used between "gather" and "up." Gather up your toys now—it's time for us to leave. I gathered the plates up and brought them into the kitchen. Yeah, I'll come sit with you guys—just let me gather up my library books.

2. To bunch in a particular place, often as of fabric. If you ironed that shirt, the fabric wouldn't gather up like that. Ugh, the hem of my dress keeps gathering up because of this stupid static cling! Did you miss a button? Why else would the fabric gather up like that?

gather way

nautical To begin moving. The ship is gathering way. Do you think we'll be able to outpace the storm? The ship is supposed to gather way any minute now, and we're missing one of our deckies! I'd like to gather way, but I'm afraid there's just not enough wind for sailing right now.

gathering clouds

A sign of impending trouble or danger. (The "clouds" refer to storm clouds.) There have been gathering clouds in the city for months—I'm nervous that a riot will erupt soon. A: "I sense that there are gathering clouds over the C-suite." B: "Me too. I really hope that layoffs aren't on the horizon." There are always gathering clouds at City Hall, it seems.

gathering string

Collecting and assembling details for a story. I have a broad idea of what I want my article to be about, but I'm still in the process of gathering string. If the deadline is tomorrow, you need to stop gathering string and start actually writing! I just know that nosy reporter is gathering string for an exposé about our company!

go gathering orange blossoms

To look for a wife. The phrase refers to the frequent use of orange blossoms as wedding decorations symbolizing the bride's innocence. I'm quite certain that Sir Andrew went to town to go gathering orange blossoms, so we'd best get ready for a wedding! Edgar can go gathering orange blossoms, but we, as his parents, will ultimately get to approve of any lady he chooses. There will be plenty of beautiful ladies at the ball. It would be a fine time to go gathering orange blossoms, you know.

See also: blossom, gathering, go, orange

gather a case

(against someone) Go to build a case (against someone).

gather dust

Fig. [for something] to sit unused for a long time. Most of my talent is just gathering dust because I don't really have an opportunity to perform.

See also: dust, gather

gather someone or something together

to assemble people or things together in one place. Gather every one together in the drawing room for a meeting. Please gather together all the suspects so that they can be questioned again. Would you gather all your papers together and put them away?

gather something up

to collect something; to pick something up. Let's gather our things up and go. Please gather up your things.

gather together

to assemble together. We will gather together on the main deck for a meeting. Let's all gather together this evening and sing.

gather dust

COMMON If something gathers dust, it is not used or dealt with for a very long time. The report has been gathering dust on a shelf. She swam in the pool every morning and used the treadmill that had been gathering dust.

See also: dust, gather

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

gather (or collect) dust

remain unused.

See also: dust, gather

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

gather ˈdust

(of plans, recommendations, etc.) be forgotten or ignored: As usual the report was left to gather dust and not dealt with by the authorities for years.

See also: dust, gather

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

gather up

1. To bring together or collect something that is distributed or scattered: I gathered up my dress and stepped over the puddle. I gathered the papers up and put them in my briefcase.

2. To come together or be more concentrated in one place: The cloth gathers up at the hem of this dress.

See also: gather, up

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References in periodicals archive

He said the authorities had watched over the gatherings and banned residents from attending.

Adhoc: Local authorities restricting right to gather

Police Administration of Banja Luka issued a decision to ban tomorrow's public gathering announced by Mico BlaA3/4anovic from Teslic, for security reasons.

Banja Luka police bans tomorrow's gatherings for security reasons

The meeting members have constituted coordination committees for facilitating people willing to participate in the gathering.

Bilawal to visit GB from Nov 17

The administration also specified two points for public gatherings and three routes for rallies in Sahiwal.

Places for corner meetings, public gatherings specified

However, corner meetings and small gatherings shall be allowed at various places of the city after obtaining NOC.

Committee to ensure security at public meetings

According to the notification, the committee will also verify that the organizers of public gatherings carryout security measures as per SOP issued by the district administration.

Committee to ensure security during election campaign

Earlier in the British rule, district magistrates used to have magisterial powers, under which they granted permissions to hold such gatherings, Advocate Shaikh said, adding that now the DCs, devoid of magisterial powers, exercise their administrative powers to do so.

No provision in law for public meetings' NOCs

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality will hold a Multaqa (gathering) for the residents of Al Manaseer area today.

Residents to have say in enhancing civil services

A statement from the association said: "One hour prior to the program, a security official arrived at the hall and informed us that the gathering should not take place."

Security forces ban meeting Interior Ministry allows

Units of the armed forces killed numbers of terrorists and wounded others as they targeted their gatherings in the areas of Nahleh and Mret al-Numan in the countryside of Idleb.

Army clamps down hard on terrorists all around the country

Popular annual cultural events including the Galway Arts Festival, the Cork Jazz Festival and the Dingle Tradfest are all incorporating the sprit of 'gathering.' Other gatherings include busking gatherings and blacksmith gatherings, scientist gatherings and a spiritual gathering in Donegal in August.

-Ireland exploits all angles to boost tourism

It also called for developing plans for health awareness and information to educate people about mass gatherings during and after the event, taking into consideration the uniqueness of each gathering, in terms of location, preparations, cultures and timing.

WHO to set up center for mass gathering medicine in Kingdom

Some 60,000 chairs have already been set up inside the Karami complex and, according to the organizers of the rally, hundreds of spectators will gather outside as giant screens have been erected around the complex to allow supporters to watch live coverage of the gathering.

Tripoli readies for March 14 rally to celebrate Independence

Tony Hamburi has commended the initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud for calling for the convening of the First Global Forum on Mass-Gathering Medicine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting that the Kingdom is a model state in dealing with mass gatherings. In her participation in the Conference currently in progress in Jeddah, she has praised Saudi exemplary experiments in management of mass gatherings in Hajj, noting that mass gatherings whether in Makkah or other cities around the world include shared elements dealing with public health, preservation of security, provision of services, and prevention of infectious diseases resulting from mass gatherings.

Canadian Expert Commends King&'s Initiative of Hosting First Global Forum on Mass Gathering Medicine

With the increase in Ramadan gatherings' frequency and diversity across Bahrain over the past few years, people are now seeking the opportunity for public parley, touching on all social, economic, and state affairs.From a handful of regular gatherings and meetings, bringing together the elite among officials, businessmen, and figures, the state now sees hundreds of gatherings and gathering places for all people in all areas.

Bahrain''s Ramadan gatherings seized as public parley