scurry around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scurry around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone moving quickly and hurriedly from one place to another, often in a somewhat chaotic manner. Example: "During the event, the staff had to scurry around to ensure everything was in place before the guests arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Children scurry around, boxing gloves covering their tiny hands.

The New York Times - Sports

Even late into the night, people scurry around, smoking, always smoking.

The Guardian - Travel

The fairies scurry around on the balls of their feet, not always on toe.

The New York Times - Arts

Kenyan government workers scurry around, wearing blue surgical masks and polo shirts that say "Refugees Are Real People".

The New York Times

They scurry around in an eternal headless-chicken dance whose purpose is to make sure that someone gets the blame.

The Guardian - Film

Even today, most of the region's mice have medium- to dark-brown coats, except for the ones that scurry around on the sand.

The New York Times - Science

Some are fully autonomous and able to scurry around on their own, even in paddy fields, like the robotic rice-planter developed by Japan's National Agricultural Research Centre.

The Economist

Seconds after it has pulled up at the ramp, large doors on the fuselage swing open and people scurry around with equipment.

The Economist

It is no accident that many film-makers and artists have represented cities as machines in which people scurry around like lab rats.

The Guardian

You have a headache, and you scurry around like a rat, like a character in a Kafka nightmare, eating scallops with last year's grease on them".

The New Yorker

This question struck me as I watched doctors and trainers scurry around on the sidelines in the first two weeks of the N.F.L. season, seemingly busier than ever in checking injured players.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scurry around" to depict a scene of hurried activity, especially when multiple individuals or small creatures are involved. It's effective in creating a sense of busyness or mild chaos. For example: "Ants scurry around the picnic blanket."

Common error

While "scurry around" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "move expeditiously" or "circulate swiftly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

"Scurry around" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, describing a manner of movement characterized by quick, hurried steps. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples in Ludwig show its application in describing the movement of children, animals, and even robots.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

9%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scurry around" is a phrasal verb that describes quick, hurried movement, often implying busyness or mild chaos. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. While effective for creating vivid imagery, it's best to avoid overusing it in formal writing. Consider alternatives such as ""hurry about"" or ""dash about"" to achieve similar effects. Overall, it is a useful phrase for depicting scenes of activity and haste in appropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurry about

A more general term for moving quickly and hastily.

dash about

Highlights quick and sudden movements, suggesting a more frantic pace.

hustle about

Emphasizes busy and energetic activity, often with a sense of purpose.

bustle around

Implies busy movement, often in a crowded environment.

race around

Highlights competitive speed and urgency.

scramble about

Suggests a disorganized and somewhat desperate attempt to move quickly.

zip around

Implies rapid and efficient movement from place to place.

fly around

Suggests extremely fast and light movement.

whiz around

Similar to "zip around", emphasizing speed and ease of movement.

tear around

Indicates reckless or uncontrolled speed.

FAQs

How can I use "scurry around" in a sentence?

You can use "scurry around" to describe people or small animals moving quickly and hurriedly. For example, "The children "scurry around" the playground after school".

What can I say instead of "scurry around"?

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

Is "scurry around" formal or informal?

"Scurry around" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "move quickly" or "hasten".

What's the difference between "scurry around" and "wander"?

"Scurry around" implies quick, hurried movement, often with a specific purpose or destination in mind. "Wander" suggests a more leisurely, aimless movement without a specific goal.