around

(redirected from circle around someone or something)

around (someone or something)

1. Encircling someone or something. You guys don't all need to stand around me—back up! Police moved into positions around the building to prevent the suspects from escaping. The members of the procession marched past us, then took their places around the statue.

2. Close to a particular person, place, or thing. I haven't lived around here for very long, so I don't know where any of the good restaurants are. I've been around Asher long enough to know when he's saying something just to be provocative. Those two are just around each other too much, that's why they bicker constantly.

up and around

Moving around, especially after a period of injury, illness, or inactivity. After months in a cast, I'm finally up and around again, thank goodness! The surgery went very well, and the doctor is optimistic that she'll be up and around soon. We're all thrilled to be up and around after seven hours on a bus!

*around someone or something

1. enclosing someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; go ~; circle ~.) The white picket fence is around the house and the yard. Jimmy was crying loudly. A ring of children circled around him, singing "Happy Birthday."

2. near someone or something in this vicinity. (*Typically: be ~; hang ~; live ~.) How long have you been around here? I don't like people like that hanging around me.

around

/round the clock

Throughout the entire 24 hours of the day; continuously.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.