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

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

In a break in play around the half-hour mark, Mikey Moore, exciting, dangerous and 18 years old, juggled the ball around the halfway line.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

"We are two men of 80 years of age, so we cannot play around with democracy," he said.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

And she advises her to play around with online retirement-planning tools to stress-test scenarios such as a job loss, health events and living to 100.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

On the way home, Stella was in no mood to joke or play around with her friends like she usually did.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper