fool with something phrasal verb American English informal (see also fool)

1. to touch or play with something, especially when you should not Synonym : mess with something:
Who’s been fooling with the radio dial?

2. to become involved in something which could cause damage or be dangerous Synonym : mess with something

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

fool with
fool with (someone)
to deceive or annoy someone for your own amusement.
He often made promises, but usually he was only fooling with us.

Related vocabulary: mess with someone, fuck with someone
fool with (something)
1.
to be busy with something without a special purpose.
Sammy was always fooling with his model trains.

2.
to try to fix or use something complicated.
I'm not an expert, but I've spent 14 years fooling with computers and thought I could handle this problem.

Don't fool with those papers! I've got them in a particular order.

Usage notes: usually if you fool with something, you will spoil or break it
Related vocabulary: mess with something, fuss with something

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

fool with something
fool with (something)
1.
to be busy with something without a special purpose.
Sammy was always fooling with his model trains.

2.
to try to fix or use something complicated.
I'm not an expert, but I've spent 14 years fooling with computers and thought I could handle this problem.

Don't fool with those papers! I've got them in a particular order.

Usage notes: usually if you fool with something, you will spoil or break it
Related vocabulary: mess with something, fuss with something

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

fool with someone
fool with (someone)
to deceive or annoy someone for your own amusement.
He often made promises, but usually he was only fooling with us.

Related vocabulary: mess with someone, fuck with someone
fool with (something)
1.
to be busy with something without a special purpose.
Sammy was always fooling with his model trains.

2.
to try to fix or use something complicated.
I'm not an expert, but I've spent 14 years fooling with computers and thought I could handle this problem.

Don't fool with those papers! I've got them in a particular order.

Usage notes: usually if you fool with something, you will spoil or break it
Related vocabulary: mess with something, fuss with something

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲