shop around

To compare prices or other choices at different places before deciding what to buy or choose.

• Shop around before you buy.
• We shopped around for cheaper car insurance.
• Have you shopped around to compare different builders?

How to use it: shop around for something (Shop around for a better insurance deal.); shop around before doing something (We shopped around before choosing a builder.)

Similar words: compare prices, compare options

Common phrases: shop around for something, shop around first

To look at several possible choices before deciding which one you want.

• Shop around before you decide.
• He shopped around for a new tennis coach.
• Are you shopping around for better insurance?

How to use it: shop around for someone/something (She is shopping around for a better employer.)

Similar words: look around, compare options

Common phrases: shop around, shop around for something

To offer something to several people or companies, hoping someone will accept or buy it.

• He shopped his idea around.
• She is shopping around her novel to publishers.
• They shopped the project around until a studio agreed.

How to use it: shop something around to someone (She shopped her screenplay around to several producers.)

Similar words: pitch, offer

Common phrases: shop something around, shop around a script