mess around
[verb]
Synonyms: fiddle, doodle, mess, potter, puddle, putter, tinker, meddle, busybody, butt in, fool, horn in, interfere, interlope, intermeddle, monkey (with), tamper (with), philander, fool (around), play (around), wolf, womanize

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

mess around (also mess about British English) phrasal verb informal (see also mess)

1. to spend time lazily, doing things slowly and in a way that is not planned:
He spent his vacation messing around on the farm.

2. to behave in a silly way when you should be paying attention or doing something sensible Synonym : fool around:
Stop messing around and get ready for school.

3. mess somebody around to cause a lot of problems for someone, especially by changing your mind often and not being completely honest:
Don’t mess me around – I want the money you promised me.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

mess around
to waste time doing something without a particular purpose.
The kids were just messing around at the mall.

Usage notes: often used in the not mess around - to act with a serious purpose:
Being a federal agent on the track of terrorists, Matt doesn't mess around.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

mess around
• mess around/about
to play around or engage in idle activity
The children were messing around in the school yard before the class began.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

mess around
v. phr.
1. To engage in idle or purposeless activity.
Come on, you guys,
■ start doing some work, don't just mess around all day!
2. vulgar To be promiscuous; to indulge in sex with little discrimination as to who the partner is.
Allen needs straightening out; he's been messing around with the whole female population of his class.
Compare: FOOL AROUND.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲