about to do something Definition

about
prep

1. Concerning or relating to someone or something; on the subject of them or it.

Thesaurus: concerning, regarding, in regard to, with regard to, referring to, with reference to, related to, relating to, touching on.
2. Near to something.
3. Around or centring on something.
4. Here and there in or at points throughout something.
5. All around or surrounding someone or something.
6. Occupied or busy with something

Example: What are you about?
7. On the person of someone.

Example: don't have the letter about me

adverb

1. Nearly or just over; approximately.

Thesaurus: approximately, roughly, nearly, more or less, in general.
2. Nearby; close

Example: Is there anyone about?
3. Scattered here and there.
4. All around; in all directions.
5. In or to the opposite direction.

Example: turn about
6. On the move; in action.

Example: be up and about again after an illness

Idiom: about to do something

On the point of doing it.

Idiom: it's about time someone did something

They ought to have done it already.

Idiom: not about to do something

Determined not to do it.

Idiom: that's about it (that's about all)

colloq
Almost everything that needs to be said or done has been.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon onbutan.