get (up and) about

To become active or begin moving around, especially after a period of injury, illness, or inactivity. After months in a cast, I'm finally starting to get up and about again, thank goodness! The surgery went very well, and the doctor is optimistic that she'll be able to get up and about soon. You spend so much time in front of that computer each day. Make sure you get up and about once in a while!

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get about

1. To physically move around, especially after an illness or injury. I'm getting about much better these days, now that I'm not on crutches anymore. I did have the flu last week, but I'm getting about just fine now. A: "I was impressed by how well you got about in that walking boot!" B: "Well, I'm much better off without it now, trust me."

2. To spread among a number of people, as of news, rumors, etc. When news of this tax scandal gets about, your career in politics will be finished! I know that rumor's gotten about by now. My question is, how did it start? Keep it quiet, though, OK? I don't want news of my pregnancy to get about just yet.

3. To participate in social activities. I haven't seen her in months—I suspect that depression has made her less apt to get about. I'm an introvert, so I'm perfectly happy staying home. I have no desire to get about every day and night. A: "I was out of town." B: "Oh, so that's why you haven't been getting about with the rest of us."

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get about

and get around

to manage to move around. I broke my hip last year, but I can still get about. Dad can't get around too much anymore, so I go over to help him.

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get about

1. Also get around. Move around, be active, especially after an illness. For example, At 85 Jean still gets around very well, or Arthritis makes it hard for him to get about. [Mid-1800s]

2. Become known, circulate, as in The news of her engagement got about very quickly. [Early 1800s] Also see get around, def. 4.

3. Be socially active, as in After her husband died, she didn't get about much for a year. Also see get around, def. 3 and 4.

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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.

get about

To be out of bed and beginning to walk again, as after an illness: Many days passed after the heart operation before I was able to get about.

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