Phrasal verb
ask round
Meanings
To ask several people for information or opinions.
To ask different people for help, a recommendation, or a favor.
Definition
To ask several people for information, opinions, or help by speaking to them one by one.
“Ask round” means to talk to different people in a group or community to find out something or to get help. You usually do it when you don’t know the answer and hope someone else might. It often suggests informal questioning among friends, neighbors, or colleagues.
Examples
- I’ll ask round and see if anyone has a spare phone charger.
- Could you ask round at work to find out who owns this umbrella?
- He asked round about the best place to eat near the station.
- She asked round for someone to feed her cat while she was away.
- They asked round, but nobody remembered where the keys were left.
Common mistake
Learners often say “ask around” in British contexts where “ask round” is more natural, or they forget the particle and just say “ask” without implying multiple people.
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.