get around — avoid a problem
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutralcommon
to find a way to deal with or avoid a problem or rule, often by being clever.
Say it like a native
Textbook We devised a means of circumventing the restriction.
Native We found a way to get around the rule.
'Get around' is the everyday verb for cleverly avoiding a rule/problem; 'circumventing the restriction' is formal.
Pattern: get around (something)
In use
- We managed to get around the new rule by submitting our forms online.work
- Sometimes, students try to get around strict deadlines by asking for extensions.IELTS speaking
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'.
Common collocations
get around + obstacle— the problem, the rules, the issue, it
Don't confuse it
'Get around' is about avoiding or solving, while 'face up to' means to confront a problem directly.
Related
- get around (travel locally) — Another meaning of 'get around' is 'travel locally'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.