fool around

fool around or mess around or play around or monkey around  {v.},  {informal}
1. To spend time playing, fooling, or joking instead of being serious or working; waste time.
If you go to college, you must work, not fool around.
The boys fooled around all afternoon in the park.
Compare: CUT UP.
2. To treat or handle carelessly.
Bob cut himself by fooling around with a sharp knife.
Suzie says she wishes John would quit playing around with the girls and get married.
To work or do something in an irregular or unplanned way; tinker.
Jimmy likes to monkey around with automobile engines.
Alice is fooling around with the piano in her spare time.
Compare: FUCK AROUND.
Categories: informal time verb