to move from place to place in a town, city, or area, especially using different types of transport.
In London, it's easy to get around by bus or underground.
A: How do you usually get around the city? B: I mostly use my bike, but sometimes I take the tram.
When I was studying abroad, I found it quite simple to get around because the public transport system was very efficient.
Common mistake
✗It's easy to get around in the city by foot.
✓It's easy to get around the city on foot.
'On foot', not 'by foot'; and 'get around the city' (no 'in').
Tell it apart
It's easy to get around here.
travel locally
We finally got around to it.
found time to do it
Use 'get around' to talk about how you travel within a city or area, not for long-distance travel.'Get around' is about moving within a place, while 'get to' means arriving at a destination.
to find a way to deal with or avoid a problem or rule, often by being clever.
We managed to get around the new rule by submitting our forms online.
A: The website blocks downloads from my country. B: Did you find a way to get around that? A: Yes, I used a VPN.
Sometimes, students try to get around strict deadlines by asking for extensions.
Common mistake
✗There's no way to get around with this rule.
✓There's no way to get around this rule.
'Get around' takes the problem directly — no 'with'.
Tell it apart
They found a way to get around the ban.
avoid / sidestep it
It's easy to get around the city.
travel locally
Use 'get around' when you talk about finding a solution or a way to avoid an obstacle.'Get around' is about avoiding or solving, while 'face up to' means to confront a problem directly.
if news or information gets around, many people hear about it.
It didn't take long for the news of their engagement to get around.
A: Did you hear that Tom is leaving the company? B: Yeah, news like that gets around fast.
If something important happens in a small town, it usually gets around very quickly.
Common mistake
✗The news got around to everyone fast.
✓The news got around fast. / Word got around.
'Get around' (news) is intransitive — don't add 'to everyone'.
Tell it apart
Word got around about the closure.
the news spread
We finally got around to the closure paperwork.
found time for it
Use 'get around' to talk about information or gossip spreading among people.'Get around' is about information spreading, while 'keep quiet' means not telling anyone.