see about

deal with or arrange something when you have time

B2

What does "see about sth" mean?

To 'see about' something means to take steps to enquire or start making arrangements for it — without necessarily completing the task yourself right away. It suggests you'll look into a situation, ask the right questions, or get the process moving. This phrasal verb is especially common in British and Irish English and often carries a slightly tentative tone: saying 'I'll see about it' implies you'll investigate but stops short of a firm promise. Typical situations include sorting out repairs, finding out about jobs or visas, making bookings, or chasing up practical tasks. It's a neutral-to-informal expression, most at home in conversation rather than formal writing.

Examples

How to use it

see about + noun phrase

The most common pattern — use a noun phrase after 'about' to name the thing you are enquiring about or arranging.

I'll see about a refund first thing on Monday morning.

see about + gerund

Very natural when describing a specific action you plan to enquire about or arrange — use a gerund (-ing form) after 'about'.

She's going to see about getting the heating fixed before winter.

see about + it / that

Pronoun objects like 'it' or 'that' follow 'about' and are common when the thing being arranged is already understood from context.

The Wi-Fi has been dropping out all week — I'll see about it tomorrow.

go / come to + place + to see about + noun phrase

Used when visiting somewhere in order to make enquiries or start an arrangement.

He went to the embassy to see about a visa for his trip.

have + seen about + noun phrase

The present perfect is used to ask or report whether enquiries or arrangements have already been made.

Have you seen about the venue for the leaving party yet?

Common Collocations

see about a jobsee about getting (something) fixedsee about the arrangementssee about a refundsee about ticketssee about it

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'see about' with 'see to'

'See about' means to make enquiries or initial arrangements, while 'see to' means to deal with or handle something directly yourself. Using 'see to' when you only mean to look into something implies more personal responsibility than you may intend.

✗ I'll see to getting a quote from the builder — I'm not sure who to call yet.
✓ I'll see about getting a quote from the builder — I'm not sure who to call yet.
Trying to separate the phrasal verb

'See about' is inseparable — the object must always come after 'about', never between 'see' and 'about'. This applies to noun phrases, gerunds, and pronouns alike.

✗ I'll see it about tomorrow.
✓ I'll see about it tomorrow.
Using the continuous form

'See about' sounds unnatural in the present or past continuous. Stick to the simple or perfect forms, or the going-to future.

✗ I was seeing about the tickets when the website crashed.
✓ I was trying to see about the tickets when the website crashed. / I saw about the tickets, but the website crashed.

Usage

This phrasal verb is more common in British and Irish English than American English. It often has a slightly tentative or noncommittal tone — saying 'I'll see about it' can suggest you'll look into something without making a firm promise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'see about' be used in the passive?

No — because the object always follows 'about' rather than functioning as a direct object of 'see', a passive construction isn't possible. You can't say 'The job was seen about' in natural English. Use an active form instead.

Is 'see about' mainly British English?

Yes, it's particularly characteristic of British and Irish English. American speakers tend to prefer 'look into it' or 'take care of it' in the same situations. If you're speaking or writing for an international audience, those alternatives may feel more neutral.

Does 'I'll see about it' always mean you'll actually do something?

Not necessarily — that's part of what makes it useful. 'I'll see about it' can be a genuine promise to follow up, but it can also be a politely noncommittal response that doesn't fully commit to action. The tone of voice and context usually make the meaning clear.

What kinds of things can follow 'see about'?

You can use 'see about' with a wide range of practical topics — repairs, bookings, jobs, visas, accommodation, refunds, deliveries, and so on. You can use a noun phrase ('see about a loan') or a gerund ('see about renting somewhere'). It works best with real-world tasks that need to be arranged or looked into.

Is 'We'll see about that!' the same meaning as the enquiry sense?

No — 'We'll see about that!' is a fixed expression with a completely different tone. It's used as a mild challenge or dismissal, meaning something like 'I'm not going to let that happen' or 'I'm not convinced'. It's best treated as a separate idiom, not as a variation of the arrangement/enquiry meaning.

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