go about

British  

verb

1. (adverb) to move from place to place

2. (preposition) to busy oneself with

   to go about one's duties

3. (preposition) to tackle (a problem or task)

4. (preposition) to be actively and constantly engaged in (doing something)

   he went about doing good

5. to circulate (in)

   there's a lot of flu going about

6. (adverb) (of a sailing ship) to change from one tack to another

---

go about Idioms  

1. Also, go around . Move here and there, to and fro; also, circulate. For example, She's been going about telling everyone the news , or A report went around that the dollar was dropping . [c. 1300]

2. Set about, undertake, as in I'm not sure how to go about making a pie . [Late 1600s]

3. go about one's business . Proceed with one's own proper occupation or concern. For example, Don't bother with that—just go about your business . [Late 1600s]

---

Example Sentences

Arina Hooks peppered the audience with questions about how they would go about starting their own business.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

Any move higher in yields would do the trick, especially as the market grapples with uncertainty about the way new Fed chair Kevin Warsh will go about monetary policy.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

“It is really tough. You take some precautions. That’s the only way to go about it.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Wallace describes the tribute as "just really gorgeous" and says it was "definitely the right way to go about it".

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

“But Mr. Wonka,” said Mike Teavee, “little boys and girls never do go about with....”

From "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl

Related Words

• set about