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Glite Dictionary
to see about

to see about

91 3.0
To arrange and take care of something
  • phrasal verb
  • /si əˈbaʊt/
  • Informal
translation icon : encargarse de
  • Can you please see about fixing the broken fence in the backyard?
  • go see about
  • see about getting
  • see about a job

I haven't tried it yet for a book, so we'll see about that.

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Examples

  • Fredrica went into Columbus on the bus to see about a job.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • OK, so let's see about how to get started here.

  • I think you better go see about your car.

    Hell Riders (1984)

  • Well, then, I will contact the agency and set up a meeting to see about getting your job back.

    I Can't Breathe (God Forgive Them) (2022)

  • Let me just find a safe place for it, and we'll see about getting these kids to school.

    Deck the Halls (2006)

  • "I'll go speak to Letty and see about getting you something to eat, too."

    Fiction book (1995)

  • I'll go on over and talk to Miss Lilah tomorrow and see about getting it all done.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • I'm riding to Rieti to see about a stock of linen.

    Francis of Assisi (1961)

  • I will call the venue to see about reserving a table for dinner.

  • She went to the office to see about her application status.

Synonyms

to take care
vsto see about
∞ 1.3

To look after a person or thing and deal with their needs

adds explicit planning and arranging beyond simply providing support
to take care of
vsto see about
∞ 1.3

To look after someone or deal with a problem

includes arranging or preparing matters as part of taking responsibility
to handle
vsto see about
∞ 2.1

Deal with a task, person, or situation

focuses more on arranging and preparing tasks as well as taking responsibility
to prepare
vsto see about
∞ 1.0

Make something ready for use or an event

includes acting on and taking responsibility, not just making ready
to arrange
vsto see about
814 2.0

To plan and organize something so it can happen

also covers taking responsibility and handling issues beyond planning
to manage
vsto see about
239 2.3

To hold and use things carefully so they do not break or fall

emphasizes making arrangements and preparations, not only control
to go about
vsto see about
200 3.5

To begin doing something in a certain way

focuses on arranging and taking responsibility rather than only starting
to attend
vsto see about
169 2.7

To take care of something that needs action

is broader and includes planning and preparing as well as acting on tasks

Antonyms

to neglect
256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

How Involved

to manage
239 2.3
to see about
  • Informal
91 3.0
to look into
573 2.8
to refer
324 3.0
to delegate
45 3.7

Surface Forms

see about infinitive
seeing about present participle
sees about third person singular
saw about past
seen about past participle

Morphology

see + about

The verb 'see' (given as 'take care that something is done') combined with 'about' ('concerning') gives a clear clue that the speaker will handle or deal with a matter, so a B1 learner knowing the constituents can infer the general sense of taking responsibility. However, the specific pragmatic senses of 'arrange' or 'make preparations' and the fixed phrasal pattern are partially idiomatic and may require exposure to recover the exact nuance.

Etymology

See about comes from the simple image of going to see someone or something to learn more about it. That's why see about now means 'to deal with' or 'make arrangements'.