In 15 Sekunden
- Contact multiple people or places by phone.
- Used for comparing prices or gathering info.
- Implies proactive research and legwork.
- Common in everyday situations and shopping.
Bedeutung
Hier geht es darum, mehrere Quellen zu kontaktieren, normalerweise per Telefon, um Informationen zu sammeln oder Optionen zu vergleichen. Stellen Sie sich vor, Sie erledigen Ihre Hausaufgaben, bevor Sie eine große Entscheidung treffen, aber mit einem Telefonanruf statt einer tiefen Online-Recherche. Es vermittelt eine Atmosphäre proaktiver Bemühungen und manchmal auch hoffnungsvoller Suche.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 12Texting a friend about buying a used car
I'm thinking of buying that used car, but I need to `call around` a bit first to see if I can find a better deal elsewhere.
I'm thinking of buying that used car, but I need to phone several places first to see if I can find a better deal elsewhere.
Planning a group trip
We need to `call around` to a few hotels to check availability for our dates.
We need to phone several hotels to check availability for our dates.
Job interview follow-up
After the interview, I plan to `call around` to other companies in the industry to explore potential opportunities.
After the interview, I plan to phone other companies in the industry to explore potential opportunities.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Calling around is a hallmark of the 'savvy consumer' culture. It is expected that you check multiple sources for quotes on insurance, home repairs, or large purchases. Be careful! 'Call around' (or 'call round') often means to visit someone's house. If you mean phoning multiple people, 'ring around' is more common. In a business context, calling around to many different suppliers might be seen as a lack of loyalty to your primary partner, though it is common in personal shopping. The German equivalent 'rumtelefonieren' is used very similarly to the English 'call around' and is a common part of daily life for organizing events or checking facts.
Use 'to' for targets
Always follow 'call around' with 'to' if you are mentioning the places you called (e.g., 'call around to the shops').
UK vs US
Remember that in the UK, 'call around' might be interpreted as a physical visit. Use 'phone around' to be 100% clear.
In 15 Sekunden
- Contact multiple people or places by phone.
- Used for comparing prices or gathering info.
- Implies proactive research and legwork.
- Common in everyday situations and shopping.
What It Means
This phrase means you're going to make several phone calls. You're not just calling one person. You're contacting many different people or places. The goal is usually to find something out. Or maybe you want to compare prices. It's about doing your due diligence. You're being thorough and proactive.
How To Use It
Use call around when you need information from multiple sources. It implies a bit of legwork. You're not settling for the first answer. You're actively seeking the best deal or the right information. It’s perfect for planning trips or shopping for big items. You can also use it when looking for a specific service. Think of it as a mini-investigation. You're hunting for the best option.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you need a plumber. You wouldn't call just one, right? You'd call around. You'd ask friends for recommendations. Then you'd call a few local companies. You're comparing their availability and rates. Or maybe you're looking for a specific vintage record. You might call around to different record stores. You're hoping someone has it in stock. It's a very practical phrase for everyday problems.
When To Use It
Use call around when you're comparing prices. Think of buying a new TV or a car. You definitely want to call around. It's also great for finding services. Need a reliable dog walker? Call around. Looking for a specialist doctor? Call around. Use it when you have time to research. It’s for situations where options exist. You're not just accepting the first thing you find. It’s about making an informed choice.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use call around for urgent situations. If your pipe bursts, you call the first available plumber. You don't have time to call around. It's also not for situations with only one option. If there's only one pizza place in town, you just call them. You don't call around if there's no point. It’s not for personal calls either. Calling your mom isn't calling around. Unless she's the only one who knows where your keys are!
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse call around with just call. Call is general. Call around is specific to multiple calls. Another mistake is using it with a single destination. You don't call around to one place. That's just calling. Or they might try phone around. While understandable, call around is the established idiom. It sounds much more natural to native speakers. It's like trying to say text around – it just doesn't quite roll off the tongue.
✗ I need to call the store.
✓ I need to call around to see if the store has the item.
✗ I will call the restaurant.
✓ I will call around to find a restaurant that's open late.
Similar Expressions
There are other ways to say something similar. Shop around is very close. It means comparing prices for goods. Look into means investigating something. It's broader than just phone calls. Check out can mean investigating too. Or it can mean visiting a place. Ring around is a British English variation. It means the same thing. Make inquiries is more formal. It sounds like you're in a detective agency.
Common Variations
Sometimes people say ring around. This is more common in British English. It means exactly the same thing. You might also hear make some calls. This is less specific. It doesn't always imply comparison. Do some calling is also possible. But it's not as common as call around. Most people stick to the classic call around. It's catchy and clear. Like a catchy tune, it sticks in your head.
Memory Trick
Picture yourself literally *walking* around a building. You're peeking in different windows, right? Now, imagine doing that with your *phone*. You're 'calling' past each 'window' (person/place). You're 'calling around' to see what's inside. The 'around' signifies the movement and multiple stops. It's like a phone-based scavenger hunt! You're not just calling *at* something, you're calling *around* it.
Quick FAQ
Q. Is call around always about price? A: Not always, but often. You might call around for recommendations. Or to check opening hours. Price is just a common reason.
Q. Can I call around for jobs? A: Yes! You can call around to companies. You might ask about openings. It shows initiative. It's a good job-hunting tactic.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is very common in everyday spoken English and leans towards neutral to informal register. It's best used when discussing practical matters like shopping, finding services, or planning. Avoid using it in highly formal written documents or speeches where a more formal alternative like 'make inquiries' would be more appropriate.
Use 'to' for targets
Always follow 'call around' with 'to' if you are mentioning the places you called (e.g., 'call around to the shops').
UK vs US
Remember that in the UK, 'call around' might be interpreted as a physical visit. Use 'phone around' to be 100% clear.
Business English
In a professional email, you can say 'I will call around for competitive quotes' to show you are being diligent.
The 'Savvy' Vibe
Using this phrase makes you sound like a proactive and smart consumer in English-speaking cultures.
Beispiele
12I'm thinking of buying that used car, but I need to `call around` a bit first to see if I can find a better deal elsewhere.
I'm thinking of buying that used car, but I need to phone several places first to see if I can find a better deal elsewhere.
Here, 'call around' emphasizes comparing prices and options before committing to a purchase.
We need to `call around` to a few hotels to check availability for our dates.
We need to phone several hotels to check availability for our dates.
This shows using the phrase to gather practical information needed for planning.
After the interview, I plan to `call around` to other companies in the industry to explore potential opportunities.
After the interview, I plan to phone other companies in the industry to explore potential opportunities.
In a professional context, it means exploring multiple job options.
On the hunt for the perfect birthday gift! Time to `call around` and see who has the best selection. 🎁 #shopping #giftideas
On the hunt for the perfect birthday gift! Time to phone several places and see who has the best selection. 🎁 #shopping #giftideas
Used casually on social media to describe the shopping process.
My sink is leaking, so I'll have to `call around` to find a plumber who can come today.
My sink is leaking, so I'll have to phone several people to find a plumber who can come today.
Highlights the urgency and the need to find someone quickly.
✗ I need to call the store to see if they have the book. → ✓ I need to call around to see if any stores have the book.
✗ I need to phone the store to see if they have the book. → ✓ I need to phone several places to see if any stores have the book.
The original sentence is too specific. 'Call around' implies checking multiple locations.
✗ I will call around the mechanic to get my car fixed. → ✓ I will call the mechanic to get my car fixed.
✗ I will phone several places the mechanic to get my car fixed. → ✓ I will phone the mechanic to get my car fixed.
You don't 'call around' a single person; you call them. 'Call around' requires multiple targets.
Trying to find a decent pizza place is like playing detective – you have to `call around` and interrogate the menus!
Trying to find a decent pizza place is like playing detective – you have to phone several places and interrogate the menus!
A lighthearted comparison using 'call around' to describe the search.
I'm so lost with these apartment options; I really need to `call around` and get some advice from people who know the area.
I'm so lost with these apartment options; I really need to phone several people and get some advice from people who know the area.
Expresses a need for guidance and information from multiple sources.
I'm going to `call around` to see which restaurant has the fastest delivery tonight.
I'm going to phone several places to see which restaurant has the fastest delivery tonight.
Practical use case for comparing delivery times.
Do you know any good dentists? I'll have to `call around` if you don't have a specific recommendation.
Do you know any good dentists? I'll have to phone several places if you don't have a specific recommendation.
Shows the phrase being used when specific recommendations are lacking.
Before booking the venue, we decided to `call around` to compare packages and ensure we got the best value.
Before booking the venue, we decided to phone several places to compare packages and ensure we got the best value.
Highlights the value-seeking aspect of the phrase in a planning scenario.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'call around'.
I don't know which pharmacy has the medicine, so I'll have to ________ ________.
We use the base form 'call around' after 'have to'.
Which sentence uses 'call around' correctly in an American context?
Choose the best option:
This correctly uses the phrase to mean contacting multiple businesses.
Match the situation to the best use of 'call around'.
Situation: You want to find the cheapest flight to Tokyo.
Travel agencies are the logical places to call for flight comparisons.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'The plumber I usually use is busy.' B: 'Well, why don't you ________ ________ and see if someone else can come today?'
B is suggesting that A contact other plumbers.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Regional Differences
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenI don't know which pharmacy has the medicine, so I'll have to ________ ________.
We use the base form 'call around' after 'have to'.
Choose the best option:
This correctly uses the phrase to mean contacting multiple businesses.
Situation: You want to find the cheapest flight to Tokyo.
Travel agencies are the logical places to call for flight comparisons.
A: 'The plumber I usually use is busy.' B: 'Well, why don't you ________ ________ and see if someone else can come today?'
B is suggesting that A contact other plumbers.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Video-Tutorials
Finde Video-Tutorials zu dieser Redewendung auf YouTube.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIt is neutral. It's fine for business conversations but might be too informal for a legal contract.
Yes, especially in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It's the same meaning.
'Call around' is more common in the US. 'Call round' is common in the UK, but usually means visiting someone.
Yes, you can call around to your friends to see who is free for dinner.
The past tense is 'called around'. Example: 'I called around yesterday.'
No, you cannot say 'I called the shops around.' It must be 'I called around to the shops.'
In modern usage, yes. If you are visiting in person, you would say 'went around' or 'shopped around'.
Technically no, you would say 'emailed around'. But 'call around' is sometimes used loosely for any distributive inquiry.
'Shop around' is about the goal (finding a deal), while 'call around' is about the method (using the phone).
Use 'for' for the object you want (call around for a price) and 'to' for the places you call (call around to the shops).
No. You should say 'I'll call around to your place' (visit) or 'I'll call you' (phone).
Yes, very common for procurement, logistics, and organizing meetings.
Verwandte Redewendungen
shop around
similarTo compare prices and quality in different shops before buying.
ask around
similarTo ask many people the same question.
ring around
synonymThe British version of call around.
check around
similarTo look in different places or ask different people.
call back
contrastTo return a phone call.
call out
contrastTo shout or to summon someone for a job.
