Английский словарь американских идиом - 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./ 3. or fiddle around 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. FOOL AROUND See: MESS AROUND.