What Does “Run around after sb” Mean?
“Run around after sb” means to spend a lot of time and effort trying to help someone or do things for them, often in a busy or tiring way.
Introduction
The phrase “run around after sb” is a common phrasal verb used in everyday English. It describes the action of being very busy trying to take care of someone else’s needs or requests. Often, this can feel exhausting, as you are constantly moving or doing things for that person. Understanding the “run around after sb meaning” helps learners express situations where they are helping or chasing after someone, usually to assist them or solve their problems. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal contexts and can describe care, responsibility, or sometimes annoyance.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: run around after sb (run around after somebody)
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To spend time and effort trying to help or catch someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Run around after sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means the verb and the particles always stay together.
Pattern: run around after + somebody
Example: She is always running around after her little brother.
How to Use Run around after sb?
You use “run around after sb” when talking about helping or trying to satisfy someone’s many needs, often in a busy, tiring way. It can describe parents looking after children, employees helping demanding bosses, or friends taking care of others.
This phrase often carries a sense of effort and sometimes frustration because the person is very busy doing things for someone else.
Examples
My mother spends all day running around after my younger siblings. She never gets a break.
- He’s always running around after his kids, making sure they have everything they need.
- Don’t run around after him too much; he should learn to do things himself.
- She ran around after the guests, trying to make sure everyone was comfortable.
- They were running around after the new manager, helping him settle in.
These examples show how “run around after sb in a sentence” is used to describe busy, helpful actions.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes people confuse “run around after sb” with similar phrases or use wrong word order.
- Incorrect: She runs after around the kids.
- Correct: She runs around after the kids.
- Incorrect: I run around my boss after.
- Correct: I run around after my boss.
Remember, “around” always comes directly after “run,” and “after” follows with the person.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “run after sb” and “run around.” “Run after sb” means to chase or follow someone physically, often literally. “Run around” alone means to be busy moving from place to place but does not specify helping someone.
“Run around after sb” combines these ideas to mean being busy helping or attending to someone’s needs.
Common Collocations
People often run around after:
- Children: Taking care of kids’ needs.
- Boss: Completing tasks for a demanding manager.
- Guests: Making sure visitors are comfortable.
- Family members: Helping relatives with errands or problems.
These common collocations show who the action is usually directed towards.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of run around after sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “run around after sb”:
Anna: My day was so busy. I was running around after the kids all morning.
Ben: That sounds tiring! Do you get any help?
Anna: Not really. It feels like I’m always the one running around after everyone.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrase “run around after sb”:
- She ___________ her little brother when he was sick.
- They don’t want to ___________ their boss all day.
- I’m tired of ___________ my friends to help them.
FAQ
- Q: Is “run around after sb” formal or informal?
A: It is generally informal but can be used in everyday conversations. - Q: Can I use “run around after” with things, not people?
A: No, it is usually used with people, not objects. - Q: What is the difference between “run after sb” and “run around after sb”?
A: “Run after sb” means to chase someone physically, while “run around after sb” means to be busy helping or attending to them. - Q: Is “run around after sb” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable; the words must stay together. - Q: Can I use “run around after sb” in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “She ran around after her children yesterday.”
