go about (doing something)
go about
1. To travel around a particular place or area. On Halloween, the kids go about the whole neighborhood trick-or-treating.
2. To begin or undertake on some task. Sir, how should I go about formatting this report?
3. To spread among a number of people, as of news, rumors, etc. When news of this tax scandal goes about, your career in politics will be finished!
4. To spread among a number of people, as of an illness. A nasty cold has been going about—I hope I don't get it.
5. To wear a particular outfit or item in public. You'll definitely notice my mom—she always goes about in a bright red coat.
See also: go
go about (doing something)
To do what is necessary to perform or achieve some action or task. How do you think we should go about getting this funding application approved? Your thesis statement should briefly explain how you intend to go about proving your hypothesis.
See also: go
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
go about something
to approach the doing of something in a particular way. How should I go about researching this topic? Would you tell me how to go about it?
See also: go
go about
and go around1. [for a rumor] to go from person to person. What is this story about you that I hear going about? There was a nasty rumor about Gerald going around.
2. [for a disease] to spread. There is a lot of this flu going about these days. There is a bad cough going around.
3. Go to go around someone or something.
See also: go
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
go about
1. Also, go around. Move here and there, to and fro; also, circulate. For example, She's been going about telling everyone the news, or A report went around that the dollar was dropping. [c. 1300]
2. Set about, undertake, as in I'm not sure how to go about making a pie. [Late 1600s]
3. go about one's business. Proceed with one's own proper occupation or concern. For example, Don't bother with that-just go about your business. [Late 1600s]
See also: go
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
go about
v.
1. To go from place to place in some area, doing something openly and habitually: All summer, the bees go about the garden collecting pollen.
2. To execute some routine: From my office on the top floor, I could observe all the city's workers going about their business.
3. To walk around or appear in public, especially in a particular state of dress: I don't know why you always go about in that silly hat.
4. To undertake something in a particular way: How does one go about finding an apartment? Your application could take weeks if you don't go about it in the right way.
See also: go
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- go about
- knuckle down to (do) (something)
- trick-or-treating
- make a start on
- give (someone) the word
- give the word
- jump in feet first
- jump in with both feet
- jump in with both feet, to
- dive in