fool around

Idioms  

1. Also, monkey around . Engage in idle or casual activity, putter. For example, Jim loved to fool around with his computer , or She was monkeying around with some figures in hopes of balancing the budget . [Second half of 1800s]

2. Engage in frivolous activity, waste time. For example, Instead of studying, he spends all his spare time fooling around . Also see fool away .

3. Engage in flirting or casual sexual acts; also, engage in adultery. For example, He caught the two teenagers fooling around in the basement . [1830s]

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Example Sentences

The transition was rough for Ansari, who wasn’t fluent in English and often got in trouble for fooling around in school.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s been fooling around on the drums and has had the idea to form a rock band to play at a local talent show, “for a laugh.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We would never let him fool around with anything like this,” Dad says.

From Literature

“With handing off, you can’t be fooling around and changing it on the fly. You have to practice it during the week.”

From Los Angeles Times

He started fooling around with it and has been playing lacrosse ever since.

From Los Angeles Times