The following idioms and expressions use the preposition 'around'. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with 'around'. Once you have studied these expressions, test your knowledge with quiz testing idioms and expressions with around.
around the bend
Definition: crazy
Tom's going round the bend with all the new responsibilities.
She's a little around the bend if you ask me!
(to have been) around the block
Definition: be very experienced
You can trust Jerry. He's been around the block once or twice.
She's been around the block. She knows what she is doing.
blue around the gills
Definition: feeling nauseous
I can't come in to work today I'm feeling blue around the gills.
You should stay at home. You look blue around the gills.
bum around
Definition: waste time
Let's go downtown and bum around.
I wish he'd stop bumming around and get to work!
clown around
Definition: joke, play games and have fun
Stop clowning around and get to work!
Let's take a break and clown around a bit.
drive someone around the bend
Definition: make someone crazy
I think I'm driving my mother-in-law around the bend.
Stop that noise! You're going to drive me around the bend.
goof around
Definition: have fun, make jokes
Stop goofing around and get back to work!
I love goofing around on Saturdays.
hang around
Definition: waste time, stay in one place
Let's hang around the bar tonight.
We've been hanging around here for much too long.
horse around
Definition: be active (usually in a negative way)
Stop horsing around! I can't concentrate.
Come on, I'm just horsing around.
jerk around
Definition: waste someone's time
He's jerking me around on the new deal.
I wish they'd make a decision and stop jerking me around.
kick around
Definition: consider
Let's kick around the new proposals.
Do you have any ideas we can kick around?
mess around with someone or something
Definition: treat poorly
I think Tony is messing around with you.
Stop messing around with that porcelain.
mope around
Definition: act depressed
Janet's just sitting at home moping around. She needs to get out.
I can't stand seeing him mope around like that.
pal around with someone
Definition: spend a lot of time together
I pal around with a lot of people from New York.
Who did you pal around with when you stayed there?
pussyfoot around
Definition: not make a decision
Stop pussyfooting around and get to it!
He's still pussyfooting around. He just can't decide one way or the other.
stick around
Definition: stay
Could you stick around after the show so we can talk?
I think I'll stick around here for a while.
tool around
Definition: drive around
We spent the afternoon tooling around downtown.
Let's get in the car and tool around.
Once you have studied these expressions, test your knowledge with quiz testing idioms and expressions with around.
