🐝 Phrasal Verbs with “BUZZ”: A Complete Guide

📚 What is “BUZZ”?

“Buzz” is a versatile word in English that can function as different parts of speech and carries a wide range of meanings. It’s an onomatopoeic word that imitates the sound made by bees and other insects during flight.

Main meanings of “buzz”:

1. As a verb (to buzz):
   • To make a humming sound (The bees buzz in the garden)
   • To create a low, vibrating sound (The fluorescent lights buzzed all day)
   • To be full of energy and activity (The city buzzed with excitement)
   • To call someone (I’ll buzz you when the meeting is over)
2. As a noun (a buzz):
   • A humming or buzzing sound (I heard the buzz of insects)
   • A feeling of excitement or enthusiasm (There was a buzz in the air before the concert)
   • Rumors or gossip (Have you heard the latest buzz about the new movie?)
   • A feeling of euphoria or elation (The caffeine gave me quite a buzz)

Modern Usage in English:

In today’s world, the word “buzz” has gained even more popularity through:

• Social media (trending topics create a buzz)
• Marketing (buzz marketing)
• Business communications (industry buzz)
• Technology (buzz notification)

What’s particularly interesting is how this basic onomatopoeic word has evolved to create numerous phrasal verbs, each bringing new shades of meaning and enriching the English language.

🎯 TOP-7 Phrasal Verbs with “BUZZ”

1. Buzz around/about

Meanings:

• To move quickly around a place
• To hover or move busily near something

Examples:

• Insects were buzzing around the street lights (meaning: flying around in circles)
• Journalists were buzzing about the crime scene (meaning: moving around busily)

2. Buzz off

Meanings:

• To go away (informal, rude)
• To leave suddenly without notice

Examples:

• “Just buzz off and leave me alone!” (meaning: go away rudely)
• The party was boring, so we buzzed off early (meaning: left quietly)

3. Buzz in

Meanings:

• To let someone enter through an intercom system
• To enter through an electronic security system

Examples:

• Can you buzz me in? I forgot my key card (meaning: let me enter)
• The receptionist buzzed in the delivery person (meaning: allowed entry)

4. Buzz with

Meanings:

• To be full of activity or energy
• To be alive with something

Examples:

• The market was buzzing with activity (meaning: full of movement and energy)
• My mind was buzzing with new ideas (meaning: filled with thoughts)

5. Buzz through

Meanings:

• To complete something quickly
• To move rapidly through something

Examples:

• She buzzed through her homework in an hour (meaning: completed quickly)
• The motorcycle buzzed through traffic (meaning: moved quickly through)

6. Buzz along

Meanings:

• To move quickly and continuously
• To progress steadily

Examples:

• The little car buzzed along the highway (meaning: moved steadily)
• The project is buzzing along nicely (meaning: progressing well)

7. Buzz back

Meanings:

• To return a call
• To respond via intercom

Examples:

• I’ll buzz back when I’m free (meaning: return the call)
• She buzzed back to let them know she was coming down (meaning: responded via intercom)

💡 Usage Tips

How to Remember:

1. Group by meaning:
   • Movement: buzz around, buzz along, buzz through
   • Communication: buzz back, buzz in
   • Atmosphere/emotions: buzz with
2. Create associations:
   • Think of a bee for movement verbs
   • Think of a phone for communication verbs

🎯 Practice Exercise: Choose the Correct Phrasal Verb

Fill in the gaps using: buzz around, buzz off, buzz with, buzz in, buzz through, buzz along, buzz back

1. The office was __________ excitement before the CEO’s visit.
2. “If you’re not going to buy anything, just __________!” the angry shopkeeper shouted.
3. Could you __________ me __________ ? I forgot my security pass.
4. The bees were __________ the flowers in the garden.
5. She __________ her report in less than an hour – I’ve never seen anyone work so fast!
6. The small electric car __________ quietly on the highway.
7. “I’m in a meeting now, I’ll __________ when I’m free,” he whispered.
8. The journalists were __________ the celebrity, trying to get a comment.
9. The market was __________ activity on the first day of the festival.
10. “I’ll __________ you __________ when the pizza delivery arrives,” said my roommate.

🔑 Correct Answers

1. buzzing with
2. buzz off
3. buzz … in
4. buzzing around
5. buzzed through
6. buzzed along
7. buzz back
8. buzzing around
9. buzzing with
10. buzz … in

📌 Quick Explanations

• “buzz with” – describes atmosphere full of activity
• “buzz off” – informal way to tell someone to leave
• “buzz in” – used with security systems/intercoms
• “buzz around” – describes circular or busy movement
• “buzz through” – indicates quick completion
• “buzz along” – describes steady movement
• “buzz back” – means to return communication

✨ Tip: Notice how the tense changes based on context (buzzing, buzzed)

💡 Why Learn “BUZZ” Phrasal Verbs?

These phrasal verbs are essential in modern English because they:

1. Make your speech more natural
2. Help express thoughts more precisely
3. Improve understanding of native speakers
4. Enrich your vocabulary
5. Add expressiveness to daily communication

✨ Bonus Practice:

Create your own sentences using these phrasal verbs to describe:

• Your working day
• A situation at a supermarket
• A scene in a park
• A phone conversation