refer to somebody/something phrasal verb (see also refer)

1. to mention or speak about someone or something:
We agreed never to refer to the matter again.
Although she didn’t mention any names, everyone knew who she was referring to.
refer to somebody/something as
He likes to be referred to as ‘Doctor Khee’.
refer to somebody/something by
The hospital now refers to patients by name, not case number.

2. to look at a book, map, piece of paper etc for information:
He gave the speech without referring to his notes.

3. if a statement, number, report etc refers to someone or something, it is about that person or thing:
The figures refer to our sales in Europe.

4. refer somebody/something to somebody to send someone or something to a person or organization to be helped or dealt with:
My doctor is referring me to a dermatologist.
My complaint was referred to the manufacturers.

5. refer somebody to something formal to tell someone where to find information:
Readers are referred to the bibliography for further information.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

mention to talk or write about something or someone, usually quickly and without saying very much or giving details:
Kate had mentioned his name a few times, but I had not met him before.
Jack mentioned that you might be looking for a new job.
refer to somebody/something to say something about someone or something in a conversation, speech, or piece of writing:
He had earlier referred to difficulties in gathering evidence.
It was not clear which case he was referring to.
touch on something to briefly mention a subject during a speech, lesson, piece of writing etc:
This problem has already been touched on in Chapter 4.
bring something up to start to talk about a particular subject during a conversation or meeting:
I didn’t want to bring up the subject of money.
I knew you’d bring that up!
raise to mention a subject that people should start to discuss or think about. Raise is more formal than bring something up:
He promised to raise the issue with the Prime Minister.
They raised a number of points.
broach to mention a subject that may be embarrassing or upsetting, or that may cause an argument:
I was reluctant to broach the subject of payment.
cite formal to mention something as an example or proof of something else, or as a reason for something:
Hong Kong is often cited as an example of this kind of economic system.
allude to something formal to mention something in a way that is deliberately not direct:
Many of the ancient Greek poets allude to this myth.
make no mention of something
Nelson made no mention of his family; he talked only of his work.
get/receive a mention
This type of research rarely gets a mention in the media.
deserve/merit a mention
The village was large enough to merit a mention in the 11th century Domesday Book.
a brief mention
Dillon makes only a brief mention of the idea in his book.
special/particular mention
Mrs. McMillan deserves particular mention for all her hard work.
a passing mention (=a brief mention when other things seem more important)
There was only a passing mention of the event in the paper.
be worthy of mention (=deserve to be talked about)
This book is particularly worthy of mention for the clarity of its writing.
the mere mention of something (=the fact of saying something that seems unimportant)
The mere mention of his name caused her to burst into tears.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

refer something to
refer (something) to (someone/something)
to ask that a problem or idea be considered by someone or something else.
The Senate voted to refer the issue to a subcommittee.

All inquiries should be referred to the central office in Philadelphia.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

refer something to something
refer (something) to (someone/something)
to ask that a problem or idea be considered by someone or something else.
The Senate voted to refer the issue to a subcommittee.

All inquiries should be referred to the central office in Philadelphia.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

refer to
refer (someone) to (someone/something)
to give someone the name of someone else or of an organization.
My doctor referred me to a cancer specialist.

She was referred to the Rare Books department of the public library.

Usage notes: people are usually referred to someone or something that will help them, as in the examples
refer (someone) to (something)
to bring someone's attention to something.
I refer the reader to chapter 6.

refer (someone) to (something)
to bring someone's attention to something.
I refer the reader to chapter 6.

refer (someone) to (something)
to bring someone's attention to something.
I refer the reader to chapter 6.

refer (someone) to (something)
to bring someone's attention to something.
I refer the reader to chapter 6.

refer (something) to (someone/something)
to ask that a problem or idea be considered by someone or something else.
The Senate voted to refer the issue to a subcommittee.

All inquiries should be referred to the central office in Philadelphia.

refer (something) to (someone/something)
to ask that a problem or idea be considered by someone or something else.
The Senate voted to refer the issue to a subcommittee.

All inquiries should be referred to the central office in Philadelphia.

refer (something) to (someone/something)
to ask that a problem or idea be considered by someone or something else.
The Senate voted to refer the issue to a subcommittee.

All inquiries should be referred to the central office in Philadelphia.

refer to (someone/something)
to mention or talk about someone or something.
I think you're referring to a TV interview on a news program last week.

Do you think he was referring to me?

refer to (someone/something)
to mention or talk about someone or something.
I think you're referring to a TV interview on a news program last week.

Do you think he was referring to me?

refer to (someone/something)
to mention or talk about someone or something.
I think you're referring to a TV interview on a news program last week.

Do you think he was referring to me?

refer to (something)
to look at something for information or help.
He referred to the dictionary for the correct spelling of the word.

refer to (something)
to look at something for information or help.
He referred to the dictionary for the correct spelling of the word.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

refer to something
refer (someone) to (someone/something)
to give someone the name of someone else or of an organization.
My doctor referred me to a cancer specialist.

She was referred to the Rare Books department of the public library.

Usage notes: people are usually referred to someone or something that will help them, as in the examples
refer (someone) to (something)
to bring someone's attention to something.
I refer the reader to chapter 6.

refer (someone) to (something)
to bring someone's attention to something.
I refer the reader to chapter 6.

refer (someone) to (something)
to bring someone's attention to something.
I refer the reader to chapter 6.

refer (someone) to (something)
to bring someone's attention to something.
I refer the reader to chapter 6.

refer (something) to (someone/something)
to ask that a problem or idea be considered by someone or something else.
The Senate voted to refer the issue to a subcommittee.

All inquiries should be referred to the central office in Philadelphia.

refer (something) to (someone/something)
to ask that a problem or idea be considered by someone or something else.
The Senate voted to refer the issue to a subcommittee.

All inquiries should be referred to the central office in Philadelphia.

refer (something) to (someone/something)
to ask that a problem or idea be considered by someone or something else.
The Senate voted to refer the issue to a subcommittee.

All inquiries should be referred to the central office in Philadelphia.

refer to (someone/something)
to mention or talk about someone or something.
I think you're referring to a TV interview on a news program last week.

Do you think he was referring to me?

refer to (someone/something)
to mention or talk about someone or something.
I think you're referring to a TV interview on a news program last week.

Do you think he was referring to me?

refer to (someone/something)
to mention or talk about someone or something.
I think you're referring to a TV interview on a news program last week.

Do you think he was referring to me?

refer to (something)
to look at something for information or help.
He referred to the dictionary for the correct spelling of the word.

refer to (something)
to look at something for information or help.
He referred to the dictionary for the correct spelling of the word.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲