ask around about

Meaning

To ask several different people for information, opinions, or recommendations regarding a specific person, place, or situation. It is a common way to gather informal background information.

Examples

• Before hiring the new nanny, we decided to ask around about her reputation.

  Before hiring the new nanny, we decided to ask around about her reputation.

• I'll ask around about the best local restaurants and let you know.

  I'll ask around about the best local restaurants and let you know.

• If you need a reliable mechanic, you should ask around about who people trust.

  If you need a reliable mechanic, you should ask around about who people trust.

• He began to ask around about his new neighbor to see if anyone knew him.

  He began to ask around about his new neighbor to see if anyone knew him.

• I'm asking around about the job opening to see if it's worth applying for.

  I'm asking around about the job opening to see if it's worth applying for.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will ask around people about the party.

  ✓ I will ask around about the party.

  'Ask around' is intransitive; you do not put the people you are asking directly after 'around'. You ask around (generally) about something.

• ✗ I asked around for the new project.

  ✓ I asked around about the new project.

  While 'ask around for' can be used if you are looking for a physical object or a person (e.g., 'ask around for a hammer'), 'about' is used when seeking information or opinions.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I don't know much about that company, but I'll ___ it.

  💡 Inquire with several people.

  Show answer

  ask around about

• Before you date him, you might want to ___ him first.

  💡 Find out what others think of him.

  Show answer

  ask around about