| Library / English Dictionary |
GO ABOUT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (verb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Begin to deal with
Example:
approach a new project
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "go about" is one way to...):
act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "go about"):
confront; face; face up (deal with (something unpleasant) head on)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s VERB-ing
Context examples:
No one but an anarchist would go about breaking statues.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
But, as she turned casually to go about her cooking, he shot another swift look at her, and she, glancing as swiftly back, caught his look.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
When she forced him too hard, he was compelled to go about in a circle, his shoulder presented to her, his head turned from her, and on his face and in his eyes a patient and bored expression.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
But the thing was hushed up, and never known at court, for the girl was afraid of the queen’s anger; and truly, as to myself, I thought it would not be for my reputation, that such a story should go about.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
The kindness and protection of Mrs. Elton!—'Jane Fairfax and Jane Fairfax.' Heavens! Let me not suppose that she dares go about, Emma Woodhouse-ing me! But upon my honour, there seems no limits to the licentiousness of that woman's tongue!
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Some time after I had finished my meal—I do not know whether to call it breakfast or dinner, for it was between five and six o'clock when I had it—I looked about for something to read, for I did not like to go about the castle until I had asked the Count's permission.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
“Stand by to go about,” the parrot would scream.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
The servant refused everything, and only asked for a horse and some money for travelling, as he had a mind to see the world and go about a little.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
I became restless and anxious, and when Thomas Mugridge glared down the companion-way, sick and angry of countenance, I prepared to go about my duties.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
I go about so much I must have things, you know, and Sallie advised my getting it, so I did, and my New Year's money will partly pay for it, but I was sorry after I had done it, for I knew you'd think it wrong in me.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
