go about
1. To travel around a particular place or area. On Halloween, the kids go about the whole neighborhood trick-or-treating. I've gone about the whole office, and I still haven't found that file! You just went about the Mediterranean all summer? Man, I'm so jealous!
2. To begin or undertake some task. Sir, how should I go about formatting this report? How do you think we should go about getting this funding application approved? Your thesis statement should briefly explain how you intend to go about proving your hypothesis.
3. To spread among a number of people, as of news, rumors, etc. When news of this tax scandal goes about, your career in politics will be finished! I know that rumor's gone about by now. My question is, how did it start? Keep it quiet, though, OK? I don't want news of my pregnancy to go about just yet.
4. To spread among a number of people, as of an illness. A nasty cold has been going about—I hope I don't get it. Once a year, chicken pox goes about and wipes out most of my classroom. It's a shame that so many illnesses always go about at Christmastime.
5. To wear a particular outfit or item in public. You'll definitely notice my mom—she always goes about in a bright red coat. Must you always go about in ripped jeans and a ratty t-shirt? I think I have seen your aunt on the walking trail. She goes about in a straw sun visor, right?
go about (doing something)
To do what is necessary to perform or achieve some action or task. How do you think we should go about getting this funding application approved? Your thesis statement should briefly explain how you intend to go about proving your hypothesis. Sir, how should I go about formatting this report?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
go about something
to approach the doing of something in a particular way. How should I go about researching this topic? Would you tell me how to go about it?
go about
and go around 1. [for a rumor] to go from person to person. What is this story about you that I hear going about? There was a nasty rumor about Gerald going around.
2. [for a disease] to spread. There is a lot of this flu going about these days. There is a bad cough going around.
3. Go to go around someone or something.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
go about
1. Also, go around. Move here and there, to and fro; also, circulate. For example, She's been going about telling everyone the news, or A report went around that the dollar was dropping. [c. 1300]
2. Set about, undertake, as in I'm not sure how to go about making a pie. [Late 1600s]
3. go about one's business. Proceed with one's own proper occupation or concern. For example, Don't bother with that-just go about your business. [Late 1600s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
go about
v.1. To go from place to place in some area, doing something openly and habitually: All summer, the bees go about the garden collecting pollen.
2. To execute some routine: From my office on the top floor, I could observe all the city's workers going about their business.
3. To walk around or appear in public, especially in a particular state of dress: I don't know why you always go about in that silly hat.
4. To undertake something in a particular way: How does one go about finding an apartment? Your application could take weeks if you don't go about it in the right way.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.