The phrase "carry around" is often used to describe the act of having or holding something with you as you move from one place to another. It can refer to physical objects that one might possess, like a bag or a book. It can also be used figuratively to talk about emotions, memories, or burdens that one might "carry" with them mentally or emotionally.
In short:
When someone says they "carry around" something, they mean they have it with them, usually wherever they go. For instance, you might say, "I always carry around a water bottle," to express that you always have one. On a deeper level, someone might say, "She carries around a lot of guilt," to describe someone who constantly feels guilty about something from their past.
Let's explore its core meanings and usage:
The origin of the phrase "carry around" is quite straightforward. It combines "carry," which means to hold or support while moving, with "around," indicating movement in a general area or place. Its use expanded from physical items to emotional or mental burdens. While it's hard to pinpoint when this phrase became popular, it's been a part of everyday language for many years.
To help you understand when to use this phrase, let's look at some examples from various situations:
This phrase also appears in pop culture, often illustrating someone's attachment to an item or memory.
Let's explore some examples:
Here are some alternative phrases that convey a similar idea:
"Carry around" means to have or hold something with you as you move from place to place. It can refer to physical items or even thoughts and feelings.
You can use it to describe having something with you. For example: "She always carries around a water bottle to stay hydrated," or "He carries around the memory of his childhood friend.
Yes, "carry around" is a common phrase used in everyday conversations to describe having something with you regularly.
No, while it often refers to physical objects, it can also describe intangible things like memories, feelings, or burdens.
Yes, in a figurative sense, "carry around" can mean bearing a burden, responsibility, or emotional weight. For example: "He carries around the guilt of not saying goodbye."
Yes, "carry around" and "carry with you" are similar and can often be used interchangeably. Both can refer to having something on one's person or bearing an emotional weight.
Figuratively, "carry around" can describe holding onto emotions, memories, or thoughts. For instance: "She carries around the joy of her first achievement."
Yes, it can describe habits or routines, especially if someone consistently has something with them. For example: "He has a habit of carrying around a book wherever he goes."
While "carry around" itself isn't an idiom, it's often used in expressions that describe emotional baggage or burdens, like "carrying around a heavy heart."
Not specifically, but the idea of carrying something, whether tangible or intangible, is a universal concept and can be found in stories and expressions across cultures.
The phrase "carry around" is versatile and can describe both the act of having physical items with you and the idea of holding onto emotions or memories. It's a phrase that resonates with many because of its dual meaning.
Here's a quick summary:
