rush around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rush around" is correct and can be used in written English.
You might use it to describe a situation where someone is moving quickly and energetically from one place to another, such as: "The children rushed around the room, exploring all the nooks and crannies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But they rush around so much.

The New York Times

Servers rush around, not always in the right direction.

The New York Times

I had to rush around and get my silver trousers done for it.

The Guardian - Music

I hadn't done everything I could to try and rush around and understand things more quickly".

The Guardian

They even rush around normally placid workplaces to make a favorable impression on visitors.

The New York Times

Ministers from 192 countries and their advisers rush around in suits, rubbing shoulders with UN officials and numerous French politicians.

Independent

(The only overwrought moment comes when they rush around, sacking Troy and throwing props into the air).

The New York Times - Arts

But songs like "Rush Around" and "Take a Walk" showed that contentment and stability can be a songwriter's bane.

The New York Times

Americans, they say, seem like people who rush around too much and care too much about money.

The New York Times

The tone is set by the entrance of three performers — Natalie Agee, Carmine Covelli and Neal Medlyn — who rush around, screeching wildly.

The New York Times - Arts

Staffers dressed in everything from leather pants to business suits rush around, apparently overwhelmed with work.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rush around" to convey a sense of urgency and perhaps a lack of planning. For example, "Instead of rushing around in the morning, prepare your outfit the night before."

Common error

While "rush around" is acceptable, it can sound informal in professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "expedite" or "hasten" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rush around" functions as an intransitive phrasal verb. It typically describes the act of moving quickly and energetically from place to place, often implying a lack of organization or a sense of urgency. Ludwig AI shows many examples in which staff or people are rushing around in several contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

HuffPost

15%

Less common in

Forbes

5%

The New Yorker

5%

Independent

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rush around" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes hurried and often disorganized activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, media, and informal communication. While acceptable, it's important to consider the context. In more formal settings, opting for alternatives like "expedite" or "hasten" might be more appropriate. The phrase generally serves to convey a sense of urgency and activity, sometimes implying a lack of planning. Understanding its nuances and appropriate usage will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurry about

Emphasizes quick movement without necessarily implying disorganization.

scurry around

Implies a busy, sometimes anxious, movement.

dash about

Suggests energetic and rapid movement, often with a specific goal.

bustle around

Describes energetic activity, often in a crowded environment.

tear around

Indicates reckless or uncontrolled speed.

fly around

Emphasizes speed and lightness in movement.

whiz around

Highlights quick and efficient movement.

gallop around

Suggests a fast and somewhat ungainly movement.

scramble around

Indicates disorganized, hurried movement, often in a confined space.

zip around

Suggests fast and nimble movement.

FAQs

What does "rush around" mean?

The phrasal verb "rush around" means to move or do things quickly, often in a disorganized or hurried manner.

What can I say instead of "rush around"?

You can use alternatives like "hurry about", "scurry around", or "dash about" depending on the context.

How do you use "rush around" in a sentence?

You might say, "I hate to rush around in the morning," or "The staff rushed around, trying to prepare for the event."

Is "rush around" formal or informal?

"Rush around" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives that convey the same meaning with a higher degree of formality.