about to

about to
The word about has a meaning of readiness or willingness; the phrase "not about to" conveys an idea of unwillingness, unreadiness, or opposition of some sort: "He was not about to pay the bill." The expression is trite and informal and should be avoided. Write "He was not ready to (or was unwilling to or refused to) pay the bill."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • About — A*bout , adv. 1. On all sides; around. [1913 Webster] Tis time to look about. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across. [1913 Webster] 3. Here and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • About — A*bout , prep. [OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. [=a]butan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out. See {But}, {Out}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Around; all round; on every side of. Look about you. Shak. Bind them about thy… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • About — Edmond About (Fotografie von Nadar) Abouts Grab auf dem Père Lachaise Edmond François Valenti …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • about — I. adverb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English abūtan, from 1a + būtan outside more at but Date: before 12th century 1. a. reasonably close to < about a year ago > b. almost < about starved > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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  • about to — 1. Close to; ready to. Used with an infinitive. * /We were about to leave when the snow began./ * /I haven t gone yet, but I m about to./ Compare: GOING TO, ON THE POINT OF. 2. {informal} Having a wish or plan to. Used with an infinitive in… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • about to — 1. Close to; ready to. Used with an infinitive. * /We were about to leave when the snow began./ * /I haven t gone yet, but I m about to./ Compare: GOING TO, ON THE POINT OF. 2. {informal} Having a wish or plan to. Used with an infinitive in… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • About a Girl (TV series) — About a Girl Title card Genre Comedy Created by Adam Tobin …   Wikipedia

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