Phrasal verb
call around
Meanings
To phone several people or places to ask for information, help, or availability.
To phone different people to try to find or reach someone.
Definition
To call several people or places to get information or find someone or something.
To call around means to make phone calls to multiple people or organizations, usually to ask questions, check availability, or locate someone. You do this when you need information and one call is not enough. It often suggests a quick, practical search by phone.
Examples
- I’ll call around and see who can help us move on Saturday.
- Can you call around to find a plumber who’s available today?
- She called around to track down his new phone number.
- They called around and found a hotel room near the airport.
- We called around, but no one had the replacement part in stock.
Common mistake
Learners often say "call about" instead of "call around" when they mean contacting several different people or places.
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.