go about
Britishverb
-
(adverb) to move from place to place
-
(preposition) to busy oneself with
to go about one's duties
-
(preposition) to tackle (a problem or task)
-
(preposition) to be actively and constantly engaged in (doing something)
he went about doing good
-
to circulate (in)
there's a lot of flu going about
-
(adverb) (of a sailing ship) to change from one tack to another
-
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]
-
Set about, undertake, as in I'm not sure how to go about making a pie . [Late 1600s]
-
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Are they about to be deported?How do I go about finding all of these folks?
From Slate ● Sep. 24, 2026
Or go about our business, hoping that they happen to other people?
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
During the expedition, the participants go about their tasks diligently.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
"I've really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student," he said in June 2000.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
In Africa women stick together, and men generally go about their own business.
From "Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina" by Michaela DePrince
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
