Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (intr, adverb) informal
- to visit a number of shops or stores to compare goods and prices
- to consider a number of possibilities before making a choice
Look for the best bargain, opportunity, or the like, as in This job offers only minimum wage so she decided to shop around for one with better pay. This expression alludes to looking in different stores in search of bargains or a particular item. [c. 1920]
Look for a buyer for, offer for sale to various parties, as in The company is now being actively shopped around. [Second half of 1900s]