play around

Idioms  

1. Act playfully or irresponsibly, especially in having a casual or extramarital sexual relationship. For example, She got tired of his playing around and filed for divorce. [1920s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

play around

Ralf Rangnick's all-action Austria side will try to press the way they always do, but Spain will just play around them.

From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026

So we play around with different ideas for that, and that would be nice to see because we’ve seen Elsbeth as a mother, but we haven’t seen her as a daughter.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026

Throughout his career, Soderbergh has sought out new technology and filmmaking techniques to play around with, lending his work an exciting sandbox quality where anything goes.

From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2026

As long as you have enough money to live on with your other sources of income, plus a 12-month emergency fund, you have enough time to play around with.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 26, 2026

I play around with a bowl of broth, eating only a spoonful or two.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins