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about3
1 if someone is about to do something, or if something is about to happen, they will do it or it will happen very soon :
We were just about to leave when Jerry arrived.
Work was about to start on a new factory building.
be about to do something
We were just about to leave when Jerry arrived.
Work was about to start on a new factory building.2 used to emphasize that you have no intention of doing something :
I've never smoked in my life and I'm not about to start now.
not be about to do something
informal
I've never smoked in my life and I'm not about to start now.