work around

find a way to deal with a problem by avoiding it

B2

What does "work around sth" mean?

To work around something means to find an indirect way to continue despite an obstacle — not by fixing it, but by finding a path that avoids it. The problem or limitation is still there; you simply find a way to move forward without tackling it head-on. This phrasal verb is common in professional and technical settings, where teams often need to keep a project moving even when something goes wrong. It implies effort and ingenuity — you have to think carefully about how to bypass the obstacle. Note that working around a problem is different from solving it: the underlying issue remains, but you've found a way to cope with it.

Examples

How to use it

work around + noun phrase (problem/limitation/obstacle)

The most common pattern — use a noun phrase directly after 'around' to name the obstacle being bypassed.

The development team worked around the software limitation by building a custom tool.

work around + it / them (pronoun)

Pronouns must always follow 'around' — they cannot be placed between 'work' and 'around'.

The regulations were too complex to change quickly, so we just worked around them.

need to / manage to / find a way to + work around + noun phrase

This phrasal verb commonly appears after modal-like expressions that suggest effort or possibility.

We managed to work around the budget cuts by borrowing equipment from another department.

work around + noun phrase (in present simple, for general truths or ongoing strategies)

Use the present simple when describing a habitual or general approach to an ongoing constraint.

Developers often work around compatibility issues by running older versions of the software.

work around + noun phrase (in present perfect, for recently achieved solutions)

The present perfect is natural when describing something that has just been resolved indirectly.

We've worked around the data import error for now, but we'll need a proper fix eventually.

Common Collocations

a problema limitationsomeone's schedulea buga restrictiona constraint

Common Mistakes

Splitting the phrasal verb

'Work around' cannot be separated — the object must always come after 'around', never between 'work' and 'around'. This applies to both nouns and pronouns.

✗ We managed to work it around.
✓ We managed to work around it.
Confusing 'work around' with 'work out'

'Work out a problem' means you solve it directly and the problem is gone; 'work around a problem' means you bypass it and it still exists. These are not interchangeable.

✗ We couldn't fix the bug, so we worked it out by skipping that feature.
✓ We couldn't fix the bug, so we worked around it by skipping that feature.
Using the past continuous unnecessarily

The past continuous form ('was working around') sounds unnatural in most contexts. Use the past simple or present perfect instead.

✗ She was working around the scheduling conflict all week.
✓ She worked around the scheduling conflict all week.

Usage

This is a neutral, professional-sounding phrasal verb common in workplace and technical contexts. The noun form 'workaround' (one word) is also very common, especially in IT and business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'work around' mean the problem is fixed in the end?

No — this is an important distinction. When you work around a problem, the problem itself is still there; you've just found a way to continue despite it. If you actually fix the problem directly, you would use 'solve', 'fix', or 'work out'.

Can 'work around' be used in the passive, like 'the issue was worked around'?

No, this phrasal verb cannot be used in the passive. Because the object follows 'around' as part of a prepositional phrase, it cannot be moved to the front of a passive sentence. Instead, rephrase actively: 'The team worked around the issue.'

What is a 'workaround' — is it related?

Yes — 'workaround' (written as one word) is the noun form of this phrasal verb and is extremely common, especially in IT and business. For example: 'There's a workaround for that bug' or 'We found a workaround.' It refers to the indirect solution itself rather than the process of finding it.

What kinds of things can you 'work around'?

The most common objects are practical obstacles: problems, limitations, restrictions, bugs, constraints, regulations, budget cuts, and deadlines. It's especially frequent in workplace and technical contexts. You can also work around an injury or a shortage — any situation where a direct fix isn't possible.

Is 'work around' the same as 'get around'?

'Get around' and 'work around' are often interchangeable, but there's a subtle difference. 'Work around' emphasises effort and practical problem-solving, and sounds slightly more professional. 'Get around' can sometimes imply cleverness or even bending the rules, and is slightly more informal.

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