Discussing, Persuading, or Searching (Around): English Vocabulary List

to gather information by asking various people

"Ask around for clues."

"I'll ask around the neighborhood to see if anyone has seen my missing cat."

to discuss different ways to handle a plan or idea

"Let's bat around ideas."

"The committee will bat around several proposals before deciding on the best course of action."

to make phone calls to several people, particularly to receive information

"She calls around to find a doctor."

"I will call around to different hotels to find the best price for our accommodation during the holiday weekend."

to find information about someone or something through extensive research or investigation

"Dig around for facts."

"The investigative journalist had to dig around for months to uncover the truth behind the scandal."

to try to find something, particularly information

"Do not nose around in my things."

"The curious neighbor was nosing around our property after the moving truck left which made us very uncomfortable."

to call multiple people or places, typically to gather specific information

"Phone around for the best price."

"I phoned around to several different hotels to find a room for the night but everything was fully booked."

to compare the prices or quality of goods or services from different suppliers or stores before making a purchase

"Shop around before you buy."

"You should shop around for car insurance because different companies can offer very different prices for the same coverage."

to discuss a topic in a vague manner, avoiding the main or crucial points

"He talked around the main issue."

"The politician tried to talk around the issue instead of giving a direct answer to the reporter's simple question."

to persuade someone to agree with one's point of view

"Bring around your friend."

"We need to patiently explain our reasoning to bring around our skeptical colleague to our viewpoint."

to completely change one's decision or opinion

"He will come around eventually."

"My parents were initially opposed to my career choice but they eventually came around and supported me fully."

to persuade someone or something to agree to what one wants, often by doing things they like

"He got around the rules."

"It is easy to get around the city using the efficient public transportation system."

to discuss or consider something in an informal and casual manner

"Kick around ideas for."

"The group kicked around a few suggestions for where to go on vacation but could not agree on any of them."