Phrasal verb
ask one around
Meanings
To ask several people for information, directions, or help.
Definition
To ask several people for information or help by speaking to others in a place or group.
“Ask one around” means to ask different people, usually nearby or connected to the situation, to find out something you don’t know. It is often used when you’re trying to get directions, locate someone, or learn where to get help. It suggests you will check with more than one person until you get an answer.
Examples
- I’ll ask one around and see where the nearest bus stop is.
- You can ask one around at the front desk if you can’t find the meeting room.
- He asked one around, but nobody knew who owned the parked bicycle.
- She asked one around in the café to check if anyone had seen her umbrella.
- They asked one around at the venue and finally found the lost-and-found table.
Common mistake
Learners often say “ask around someone” when they mean asking multiple people; use “ask one around” (or more commonly “ask around”) without “someone” as the object.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.