fool around
Meaning
To waste time doing unimportant things; to joke/behave playfully instead of being serious. Sometimes also means to engage in casual sexual activity.
Origin
From the verb phrase “to fool” (act silly) plus “around” (in various places/without purpose). By the mid-20th century it also developed a sexual sense (“fool around with someone”).
Notes
Informal. Usually means “mess around/waste time,” but with “with + person” it can imply sexual activity or cheating—be careful with context.
Examples
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Stop fooling around and finish your homework.
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We fooled around at the mall all afternoon and forgot the time.
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If you fool around with the wiring, you could get shocked.
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They started fooling around on set, and the director had to call for quiet.
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He got fired for fooling around at work instead of doing his job.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Intransitive: “Stop fooling around.” Also “fool around with + person/thing.” Tense: “fooled around,” “fooling around.” Meaning shifts with “with + person” (often sexual).
Synonyms
- mess around
- goof off
- dawdle
- waste time
- horse around
Antonyms
- focus
- get to work
- take something seriously
- behave