center around

center around (someone or something)

To focus on someone or something. But it's Beth's surprise party, not yours, so all the decorations and games should center around her and her alone. This novel centers around the protagonist's journey to self-discovery.
See also: around, center
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

center around someone or something

to make someone or something the central point in something; to be based on someone or something. Your salary increases center around your ability to succeed at your job. The success of the picnic centers around the weather next week.
See also: around, center
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

center around

v.
1. To be primarily concerned with something: The plot of this story centers around the life of a cowboy.
2. To make or do something that is primarily concerned with something else: We centered our discussion around the problem of homelessness.
See also: around, center
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • center around (someone or something)
  • center on
  • center on (someone or something)
  • centered
  • get the most out of
  • get the most out of (someone or something)
  • put (someone) up with (one)
  • put up with
  • have precedence over (someone or something)
  • it's/they're all yours
References in periodicals archive
In its document Nostra Aetate, the council called upon the faithful to recognize and explore the rich spiritual heritage common to Christianity and Islam so that the future of Christian-Muslim relations may no longer center around violent confrontation but rather around peaceful and mutually enriching exchange and dialogue.
What's the Catholic view of Islam?
Clutton-Brock rates meerkats as "fabulously cooperative." Their groups of 2 to 30 adults center around one breeding pair, although sometimes subordinates contribute a few pups.
Meerkat pups grow fatter with extra adults
The other 20% of your time should center around developing less important professional ties.
Make the connection
Paul Bronkhorst of the Instituut summed up the heart of the conference by pointing out that discussions will center around the ways dancers have been taught, trained, choreographed, and managed, and how they are maintaining their health throughout their lives in dance.
TORONTO AND THE HAGUE HOST DANCE CONFERENCE
UPN is apparently working on a black-oriented drama, although its premise is just as predictable as are UPN's comedies: It will center around high-school basketball.
Homeboys in Outer Space
This book is not great literature, and the authors might have had little to write about had their lives not come to center around a physical challenge.
Brenda's Story: My Life with Multiple Sclerosis