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Glite Dictionary
to run about

to run about

7 1.4
To move around quickly and energetically without a clear purpose
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : correr de un lado a otro
  • Some were running about the yard to find a good place to dig.
  • children running about
  • kids running about
  • ran about the house

Examples

  • Little girls, with handkerchiefs tied over their heads, were running about on the banks selling birchbark baskets filled with wild strawberries.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Suddenly, a cry went up from the public beach, and people ran about in all directions.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • It's too cold to be running about in the streets.

    The Doctor and the Devils (1985)

  • What a lot of boys running about the house...

    The Strange Woman (1946)

  • Did you hear someone running about?

    Anthony Adverse (1936)

  • Three of the kids were running about, chasing one another.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • A family sits at one, children playing and running about.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Children were running about the empty lot, and she looked for Yiftach among them.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Such fun Robert had for approximately three weeks, running about Brighton Beach with the kite.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • The children were running about the park, laughing and playing games.

Synonyms

to run around
vsto run about
217 1.1

To play and move quickly in different directions while making noise

moves energetically often without play or noise
to roam
vsto run about
189 2.5

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

moves energetically but not as slow or searching
to prance around
vsto run about
  • Informal
15 4.1

To move with high, lively steps in a playful way

is energetic movement without showy steps or playfulness
to romp
vsto run about
  • Literature
8 2.8

To run and play in a lively, energetic way

moves energetically but with less focus on play
to mill about
vsto run about
7 5.3

To move around a place without a clear reason, often in a group

moves energetically rather than lingering aimlessly in groups
to bustle about
vsto run about
1 4.1

To move around quickly while busy with small tasks

moves energetically without a fixed purpose
to run from pillar to post
vsto run about
  • Informal
8.1

Move quickly from place to place trying to solve many urgent problems

moves energetically without necessarily feeling confused

Antonyms

to stand still
75 1.0

Stay upright in one place without moving

to idle
1 3.2

To spend time doing nothing

How Energetic

to dash
73 1.0
to run about
7 1.4
to wander
379 1.3
to amble
15 4.8

Surface Forms

run about infinitive
ran about past
running about present participle
runs about third person singular
run about past participle

Morphology

run + about

The meaning 'to move around energetically or busily' is directly and compositionally derived from 'run' (move quickly on foot) plus 'about' (around/nearby), following a standard motion verb + particle pattern. This is a common, cross-linguistic construction and therefore a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Run about gives the picture of children or pets who run here and there about a yard, full of energy and not staying in one place. That's why run about means 'to move around energetically or busily'.