Phrasal verbs combine a verb with a particle (preposition or adverb) to create expressions with meanings that often differ from the original verb alone.
This article explores 100 phrasal verbs using “about” – a particle that typically conveys ideas of movement, location, proximity, or being engaged in an activity.
1-10: Movement and location
Move about
To move from place to place within an area.
“The children moved about restlessly during the long ceremony.”
Walk about
To walk in different directions within an area.
“After sitting for hours, I needed to walk about to stretch my legs.”
Wander about
To move around aimlessly.
“Tourists wandered about the old town, taking in the sights.”
Mill about
To move around in a confused or aimless way in a crowd.
“People were milling about outside the theater, waiting for doors to open.”
Shuffle about
To move with dragging steps.
“The elderly patient shuffled about his hospital room.”
Run about
To run in different directions within an area.
“Children were running about in the playground.”
Dash about
To move quickly and energetically in different directions.
“She was dashing about the kitchen preparing dinner for guests.”
Flit about
To move quickly and lightly from one place to another.
“Butterflies flitted about the garden.”
Float about
To move gently through air or water.
“Autumn leaves floated about in the gentle breeze.”
Drift about
To move slowly with no specific direction.
“After graduation, he drifted about for a few years before finding his career.”
11-20: Distribution and discovery
Scatter about
To throw or place things in different directions.
“His personal belongings were scattered about the room.”
Spread about
To distribute over an area.
“Rumors spread about quickly in the small town.”
Throw about
To toss in different directions; or to mention casually.
“The hurricane threw debris about.”
“He was throwing wild accusations about during the meeting.”
Knock about
To move objects roughly; or to travel aimlessly.
“The boxes were knocked about during shipping.”
“After college, she knocked about Europe for a year.”
Toss about
To move something around roughly or randomly.
“The small boat was tossed about by the waves.”
Kick about
To lie around in disorder; or to spend time aimlessly.
“Old newspapers were kicking about on the floor.”
“We just kicked about the beach all afternoon.”
Leave about
To leave items scattered in various places.
“Don’t leave your clothes about – put them away properly!”
Find out about
To discover information regarding something.
“I need to find out about train schedules for my trip.”
Ask about
To request information concerning something.
“She asked about the company’s refund policy.”
Inquire about
To ask for information formally.
“I’d like to inquire about the position advertised in the newspaper.”
21-30: Knowledge and information
Know about
To have knowledge concerning something.
“He knows about classical music more than anyone I know.”
Learn about
To acquire knowledge regarding a subject.
“We’re learning about ancient civilizations in history class.”
Hear about
To receive information concerning something.
“I just heard about your promotion. Congratulations!”
Read about
To gain information from written material.
“I read about that new restaurant in yesterday’s newspaper.”
Tell about
To give information regarding something.
“Tell me about your vacation in Italy.”
Talk about
To discuss or mention.
“Everyone is talking about the new movie.”
Think about
To consider or contemplate.
“I need time to think about your proposal.”
Wonder about
To be curious concerning something.
“I wonder about what might have happened if I had taken that job.”
Worry about
To feel anxious regarding something.
“Parents always worry about their children’s safety.”
Care about
To be concerned for or interested in something.
“He doesn’t care about what others think of him.”
31-40: Discussion and communication
Chat about
To talk informally about something.
“They were chatting about their weekend plans.”
Speak about
To talk formally about a topic.
“The professor will speak about climate change at the conference.”
Argue about
To dispute or disagree verbally.
“The siblings were always arguing about who would control the TV.”
Debate about
To discuss formally, examining different perspectives.
“Politicians debated about tax reform during the campaign.”
Gossip about
To talk about others’ private lives.
“I don’t like to gossip about colleagues.”
Joke about
To say funny things regarding a topic.
“You shouldn’t joke about sensitive issues.”
Lie about
To tell untruths regarding something.
“She lied about her age on the application form.”
Boast about
To talk proudly about something.
“He’s always boasting about his achievements.”
Complain about
To express dissatisfaction regarding something.
“Customers have been complaining about the poor service.”
Grumble about
To complain in a bad-tempered way.
“He was grumbling about having to work on weekends.”
41-50: Emotions and reactions
Feel about
To have a particular emotion regarding something.
“How do you feel about moving to another city?”
Get excited about
To become enthusiastic concerning something.
“Children get excited about birthday parties.”
Be happy about
To feel pleasure regarding something.
“She’s really happy about her new job.”
Be sad about
To feel sorrow concerning something.
“We’re all sad about your decision to leave.”
Be angry about
To feel anger regarding something.
“He was angry about the unfair treatment he received.”
Be nervous about
To feel anxiety regarding something.
“She’s nervous about her driving test tomorrow.”
Be confused about
To lack understanding regarding something.
“I’m confused about the instructions for this assignment.”
Be serious about
To be committed to or sincere regarding something.
“Are you serious about wanting to start your own business?”
Be enthusiastic about
To show strong interest in something.
“The team is enthusiastic about the new project.”
Be crazy about
To be extremely passionate or obsessed with something.
“He’s crazy about jazz music.”
51-60: Preparation and planning
Go about
To start or approach doing something.
“How should I go about solving this problem?”
Set about
To begin doing something with energy.
“She set about cleaning the house immediately.”
Think about
To consider or plan.
“We’re thinking about remodeling the kitchen next year.”
Bring about
To cause something to happen.
“The new legislation brought about significant changes.”
Come about
To happen, especially in an unexpected way.
“How did the accident come about?”
Be about
To be on the point of doing something.
“They were about to leave when the phone rang.”
Hesitate about
To be uncertain whether to do something.
“She hesitated about accepting the job offer.”
Be clear about
To understand clearly.
“Let’s make sure we’re clear about what needs to be done.”
Be careful about
To act with caution regarding something.
“Be careful about sharing personal information online.”
Be particular about
To be very specific or demanding.
“She’s very particular about how her office is organized.”
61-70: Activity and engagement
Busy about
To be actively engaged in something.
“He’s busy about preparing for the conference.”
Hang about
To spend time idly.
“Teenagers were hanging about the shopping mall.”
Mess about
To spend time doing something in a disorganized way.
“We were just messing about with the new software.”
Fool about
To behave in a silly or playful way.
“The children were fooling about instead of doing their homework.”
Play about
To act in a playful or casual manner.
“Don’t play about with those expensive tools.”
Horse about
To behave in a rowdy or boisterous manner.
“The boys were horsing about in the backyard.”
Lark about
To engage in harmless fun.
“They spent the afternoon larking about at the beach.”
Muck about
To waste time doing unproductive things.
“Stop mucking about and get to work.”
Fuss about
To worry excessively about small details.
“She’s always fussing about keeping the house tidy.”
Putter about
To occupy oneself in a casual, unhurried way.
“On weekends, he likes to putter about in the garden.”
71-80: Concern and focus
Care about
To have a concern for.
“He doesn’t care about material possessions.”
Bother about
To take the trouble to do something.
“Don’t bother about making dinner; we’ll order takeout.”
Fret about
To worry continuously.
“She’s always fretting about her children’s safety.”
Stress about
To feel anxious regarding something.
“Don’t stress about the exam; you’re well prepared.”
Agonize about
To worry intensely.
“He agonized about whether to accept the job abroad.”
Obsess about
To think excessively about something.
“She obsesses about keeping her house perfectly clean.”
Be concerned about
To feel worry or interest regarding something.
“We’re concerned about the environmental impact.”
Be anxious about
To feel nervous or worried.
“She’s anxious about meeting her boyfriend’s parents.”
Be self-conscious about
To be uncomfortably aware of oneself.
“Teenagers are often self-conscious about their appearance.”
Be certain about
To have no doubt.
“Are you certain about your decision?”
81-90: Change and difference
Bring about
To cause to happen.
“The new manager brought about many positive changes.”
Come about
To happen or take place.
“How did this situation come about?”
Be about
To concern or relate to.
“The documentary is about climate change.”
Get about
To move around or travel.
“Despite her age, she still gets about quite well.”
Put about
To circulate information or rumors.
“Who put about the story that the company is closing?”
Send about
To send in various directions.
“The manager sent staff about to find the missing document.”
Turn about
To change direction completely.
“The company’s fortunes turned about after new leadership.”
Switch about
To change or alternate.
“The weather has been switching about between sunny and rainy.”
Change about
To alter or modify.
“His opinions change about depending on who he’s talking to.”
Move about
To change position.
“The furniture has been moved about since my last visit.”
91-100: Miscellaneous uses
Be all about
To focus entirely on.
“This company is all about customer satisfaction.”
Know what you’re about
To be competent or knowledgeable.
“Don’t worry, she knows what she’s about in these situations.”
Have one’s wits about one
To be alert and capable of quick thinking.
“You need to have your wits about you when negotiating deals.”
Carry about
To have something with you regularly.
“She carries about a notebook for writing down ideas.”
Keep about
To maintain nearby.
“I like to keep reference books about when I’m working.”
Bring someone about
To restore to consciousness.
“The smelling salts brought her about after she fainted.”
See about
To attend to or arrange.
“I’ll see about getting tickets for the concert.”
Look about
To survey surroundings.
“She looked about nervously before crossing the street.”
Cast about
To search or look for something.
“He was casting about for a solution to the problem.”
Go all about
To take an indirect approach.
“Don’t go all about it – just tell me what you want.”
Phrasal verbs with “about” typically express ideas related to movement within an area, knowledge and information, emotions, activities, and various states of mind. These versatile combinations enhance your ability to communicate more naturally and idiomatically in English. The particle “about” adds nuances of approximation, movement in different directions, or engagement with topics and activities. Practice incorporating these expressions into your daily language use to strengthen your fluency.
