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Glite Dictionary
to ask around

to ask around

40 2.1
To ask several people for information
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : preguntar por ahí
  • When I got there, I asked around after my brother.
  • ask around to see
  • ask around to find
  • start asking around

So I start asking around, hey, why?

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Examples

  • If you ask around, you will hear the same thing.

    Come Back, Africa (1959)

  • You should ask around for job vacancies so that you can prepare your application.

    Blog text (18)

  • So I start asking around, hey, why?

    Shawn Ryan Show

  • And so I think he asked around about, you know, what was I doing?

  • Go to the hospital, ask around.

    The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

  • Maybe you can ask around for me?

    Fiction book (2001)

  • When I started asking around, I was also told another side of the story.

    Blog text (1)

  • I heard you've been asking around about me.

    Superstarlet A.D. (2000)

  • I'll ask around for info on any prominent hackers in the area.

    Battle For America (2010)

  • If you ask around, you will hear the same thing.

Synonyms

to question
vsto ask around
570 1.0

To ask someone questions to get information

talks to several people casually rather than examining one person's knowledge
to inquire
vsto ask around
  • Formal
107 3.0

To ask someone for information about something

does this informally by contacting several people casually
to sound out
vsto ask around
2 4.4

Try to find out what someone thinks by asking indirect questions

talks with several people directly and casually to obtain information
to put out feelers
vsto ask around
  • Informal
1 6.2

Ask people quietly to find out their views or if something is possible

tries to get information from several people in a casual way

Antonyms

to keep to oneself
27 5.4

To not tell others your thoughts or feelings

uninquiring
8.9

A person or thing that is not curious and does not ask questions

How Thorough

research
∞ 3.4
to investigate
∞ 2.8
to survey
83 3.2
to ask around
  • Informal
40 2.1
check
720 1.0
to ask
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

ask around infinitive
asked around past
asked around past participle
asking around present participle
asks around third person singular

Morphology

ask + around

The meaning 'to try to obtain information by inquiring with several people' is directly derivable from 'ask' (to put a question) combined with 'around' (indicating among people/places), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer asking multiple people. This verb+particle composition is a common, cross-linguistically transparent pattern (movement/aroundness applied to asking), supporting a transparent rating.

Etymology

Ask around comes from the clear image of going around a place and asking different people for news or help. That's why it means 'to try to get information from several people'.