tinker with

Idioms  

1. Try to repair, work aimlessly or unskillfully with, as in He tinkered with the engine all day but it still wouldn't start. This idiom, first recorded in 1658, alludes to working as a tinker, that is, mending metal utensils.

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Example Sentences

Earlier this year, she toured Tinker with Balfour officials.

From Reuters • Jul. 22, 2019

The dress arrived at the Brighton studio of specialist textile conservator Zenzie Tinker with a box of tattered pieces.

From The Guardian • Mar. 11, 2011

"That's silly, when it would be such a good thing," said Tinker with a disapproving air.

From The Admirable Tinker Child of the World by Jepson, Edgar

"Ah, we shall have to see what Dorothy says about that," said Tinker with a smile of doubtful meaning.

From The Admirable Tinker Child of the World by Jepson, Edgar

"Ve've got summat, at last," said the Tinker, with a self-applauding glance at his friends.

From Auriol or, The Elixir of Life by Ainsworth, W. Harrison