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Glite Dictionary
to get about

to get about

9 2.8
To move around a house or area
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɡɛt əˈbaʊt/
  • UK
translation icon : moverse
  • After her surgery, she found it difficult to get about the house without assistance.

Examples

  • Walking was the only way to get about.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • One day, when Johnny is well enough to get about on his own, he wanders into Hampton's library.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Finally, they get about twenty yards from the edge and Louise slams on the brakes.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • We asked each participant to nominate three friends or acquaintances whom they considered to be exceptionally independent in getting about the community.

    Academic text (1996)

  • With a good public transport system, it is easy to get about the city without a car.

  • As he grew older, he became slower to get about and needed a walker.

Synonyms

to go
vsto get about
∞ 1.0

To move from one place to another, physically or in meaning

focuses on moving within an area rather than leaving or changing state
to move
vsto get about
∞ 1.0

Change position or place

is more about travelling within an area than any position change
to travel
vsto get about
∞ 1.0

To go from one place to another, often for work or pleasure

focuses on local circulation rather than longer distance journeys
to wander
vsto get about
379 1.3

Move around without a fixed direction, often slowly and in curves

is more neutral, covering any movement within an area rather than relaxed aimlessness
to roam
vsto get about
189 2.5

Move around without a fixed place, often while looking for something

focuses on local circulation rather than wide, searching movement
to get around
vsto get about
49 2.1

Move from place to place within an area

is the same idea but stresses general circulation within an area
to move around
vsto get about
46 1.8

To travel from place to place for work or duties

is broader, covering any movement within an area not only duties
to walk about
vsto get about
  • UK
8 3.1

To move around a place on your feet without a clear purpose

is about general movement within an area, not only walking aimlessly
to run about
vsto get about
7 1.4

To move around quickly and energetically without a clear purpose

expresses steady local movement rather than energetic, busy motion

Antonyms

to stay put
  • Informal
133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

How Mobile

to roam
189 2.5
to travel
∞ 1.0
to get about
  • UK
9 2.8

Surface Forms

get about infinitive
getting about present participle
gets about third person singular
got about past
got about past participle

Morphology

get + about

The meaning 'to move from place to place' is directly derivable from combining 'get' (arrive/move) with 'about' (around/in various places); the verb+particle composition transparently signals motion or circulation. This is a common compositional pattern in English (and parallels in other languages), so a B1 learner who knows both words is likely to infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Get about may come from the simple image of someone using get to move and about to mean 'around' a town or room, like walking, taking a bus, or using a chair to visit different places. That's why get about means 'to move from place to place'.