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Meaning trap

go around

be enough for everyone

to be enough of something for all the people in a group.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

be enough for everyone

to be enough of something for all the people in a group.

go around (circulate)

Another meaning of 'go around' is 'circulate'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • There wasn’t enough cake to go around, so some people didn’t get any.daily life
  • During the festival, the organizers made sure there was enough food to go around for all the guests.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: go around (for/to someone)

WrongThere isn't enough food to go around for everyone.

RightThere isn't enough food to go around.

'To go around' already means 'for everyone'. Don't add 'for everyone'.

Patterngo around (for/to someone)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff There is a sufficient quantity for every guest.

Natural There's enough to go around.

'(Enough) to go around' is the set phrase for 'enough for everyone'. The formal version is wordy.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • enough + to go around
    enough foodenough chairsenough moneyplenty

Don't confuse it

Not about moving or spreading, but about quantity being sufficient.

Try it in Daily Speak →