ask around

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to ask several different people for information, recommendations, or help with something. It is a casual way of saying you are researching or seeking advice from friends, colleagues, or neighbors.

Examples

• I don't know any good mechanics in this area, but I'll ask around.

  I don't know any good mechanics in this area, but I'll ask around.

• If you're looking for a cheap apartment, you should ask around at school.

  If you're looking for a cheap apartment, you should ask around at school.

• I asked around, and most people said the new restaurant downtown is overpriced.

  I asked around, and most people said the new restaurant downtown is overpriced.

• Let me ask around the office and see if anyone has a spare phone charger.

  Let me ask around the office and see if anyone has a spare phone charger.

• We've been asking around, but nobody seems to have seen the missing dog.

  We've been asking around, but nobody seems to have seen the missing dog.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I asked around my friends about the party.

  ✓ I asked my friends around about the party.

  'Ask around' is typically used intransitively (without a direct object immediately after it). To specify the group, say 'I asked my friends' or 'I asked around the neighborhood.'

• ✗ I will ask around them for help.

  ✓ I will ask around for help.

  Do not put a pronoun object like 'them' or 'him' directly after 'ask around.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• I'm not sure which laptop to buy, so I'm going to ___ before making a decision.

  💡 inquire with several people

  Show answer

  ask around

• If you need a babysitter, you should ___ in your neighborhood.

  💡 request recommendations from multiple people

  Show answer

  ask around