around和about在动词短语中，通常指一个活动或一件事情发生的地点没有明确的方向或顺序。
Around and about often indicate activities and situations taking place in various locations, often without having a clear direction or order.
Let’s look at this conversation between two teachers.
Jake: Rumours have been flying around the staffroom lately that you’re leaving. Is it true?
Sarah: It amazes me how news gets around in this place! I did say to one or two people that I was tired of being bossed around by you-know-who, and, I have asked around here and there to see if they need any full-time teachers, but I haven’t made a decision yet.
Jake: Oh, right. I heard the other day that Eleanor is sick of running around after you-know- who sorting out problems he’s caused. So she might leave too. By the way, do you have a copy of that new grammar book? I want to show it to my students. My copy’s floating about here somewhere but I just can’t find it.
Sarah: Yes, I think I have a copy lying around here somewhere ... Yes, here you are. Jake: Thanks very much. So, what are you up to this weekened?
Sarah: Nothing much, just pottering about at home, really. Oh goodness! Is that the time? I have a class now.
Jake: OK, see you later. Don’t forget that we switched our classrooms around this afternoon. You’re in Room 2.
fly around
（看法、评论、谴责等）满天飞，四下飞速传播All kinds of rumours are flying around about the school closing.有关学校关闭的各种流言满天飞。
get around
（消息等）传开，流传News of Helen's pregnancy soon got around the office.海伦怀孕的消息很快在办公室传开了。
boss around
对…发号施令；把…差来遣去I wish he'd stop bossing me around/about.但愿他不再把我差来遣去的。
ask around
四处打听；多方询问Our babysitter's just moved away, so we're asking around for a replacement.我们的临时保姆刚刚搬走，我们正在到处打听想另找一个。
run around after sb
围着（尤指自己不尽力做事的人）忙个不停I seem to spend most of my time running around after those kids.我大部分时间好像都在围着那些孩子们转。
float around
就在附近I can't find my purse, but it must be floating around here somewhere.我找不到我的钱包了，但是它肯定就在这儿什么地方。
lie around
乱放，乱搁Has anyone seen my keys lying around?有人看见我的钥匙落在什么地方了吗？I wouldn't leave any money lying around the office if I were you.我要是你就不会把钱在办公室里乱放。
potter about/around
闲逛，闲荡I spent the afternoon pottering around the garden doing a few odd jobs.我一个下午都在庭园里散步，顺便做些零活儿。He doesn't drive very fast - he tends to potter along.他车开得不很快——只是在闲逛。
switch something around
调换（位置、顺序）The room looks different. Have you switched the furniture around? 这个房间看起来不一样了。你调换家具的位置了吗？
Other uses of around and about
Children! Stop playing around! Sit politely.
play around
乱搞，瞎闹Stop playing around and get on with your homework!别瞎闹了，抓紧做你的家庭作业吧！I wish you wouldn't play about with that - you'll break it.我希望你不要瞎弄那个东西了——你会把它弄坏的。
The neighbours have been banging about next door all morning. I wonder what they’re doing.
bang about
砰砰猛击，重击；（使）发出巨响I could hear her in the kitchen banging about (= doing things noisily).我能听见她在厨房里弄得当啷乱响。
Theo was clowning around at the party last night. It got very irritating.
clown around
扮小丑；出洋相；逗笑Left alone, the class threw books, pulled faces, and generally clowned around.由于没有人管，班上的学生扔书本，扮鬼脸，简直胡闹成一片。
Politicians often skirt around the truth and don’t give direct answers to questions.
skirt around
避开，绕开（某话题或问题）
The government has been accused of skirting around the issue of torture.
政府受到指责，称其避而不谈虐待疑犯的问题。
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