about
on the move
- up and about
- the whole town was astir over the incident
• Syn:
astir
• Similar to:
active
1. (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct (Freq. 55)
- lasted approximately an hour
- in just about a minute
- he's about 30 years old
- I've had about all I can stand
- we meet about once a month
- some forty people came
- weighs around a hundred pounds
- roughly $3,000
- holds 3 gallons, more or less
- 20 or so people were at the party
• Syn:
approximately, close to, just about, some, roughly,
more or less, around, or so
2. all around or on all sides (Freq. 10)
- dirty clothes lying around (or about)
- let's look about for help
- There were trees growing all around
- she looked around her
• Syn:
around
3. in the area or vicinity (Freq. 5)
- a few spectators standing about
- hanging around
- waited around for the next flight
• Syn:
around
4. used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction (Freq. 3)
- wandering about with no place to go
- people were rushing about
- news gets around (or about)
- traveled around in Asia
- he needs advice from someone who's been around
- she sleeps around
• Syn:
around
5. in or to a reversed position or direction (Freq. 3)
- about face
- suddenly she turned around
• Syn:
around
6. in rotation or succession (Freq. 2)
- turn about is fair play
7. (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished;
all but (Freq. 1)
- the job is (just) about done
- the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
- we're almost finished
- the car all but ran her down
- he nearly fainted
- talked for nigh onto 2 hours
- the recording is well-nigh perfect
- virtually all the parties signed the contract
- I was near exhausted by the run
- most everyone agrees
• Syn:
almost, most, nearly, near, nigh,
virtually, well-nigh
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