go about

Choose a way to start or deal with a task or problem.

• How do we go about this?
• She went about fixing the roof carefully.
• You need to change how you go about finding work.

How to use it: go about doing something (How should we go about finding a new flat?); go about something (You went about the task in the wrong way.)

Similar words: tackle, approach, set about

Common phrases: go about something, go about finding something

Do your usual work or everyday activities.

• We went about our business.
• She goes about her duties quietly.
• How can people go about normal life during the repairs?

How to use it: go about something (People went about their daily work.)

Similar words: carry on with, attend to

Common phrases: go about business, go about work

Pass from one person to another, like news or an illness.

• A nasty cold is going about.
• That story went about the village for weeks.
• Is there a stomach bug going about at school?

Similar words: spread, circulate, go around

Common phrases: go about town, go about school

Turn a sailing boat so that the wind comes from the other side.

• The boat began to go about.
• We went about when the wind changed.
• Is the crew ready to go about?

Similar words: tack, come about

Common phrases: go about now, go about again