Run Around

1. To go from one place to another in a hurry.

Examples: The police have been running around the city the whole afternoon looking for the criminal.
I ran around to four different supermarkets to get the stuff I needed to make dinner.

2. To become very busy doing a lot of different things.

Examples: I have to run around the house all day to clean up and rearrange the furniture since visitors are coming.
This weekend I will have a lot of running around to do.

3. To play and run at the same time.

Examples: The kids have been running around the house all day playing hide and seek.
Let the kids run around in the backyard for a few hours while you get some housework done.

See our complete list of English phrasal verbs.