mess around

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++mess around  → mess around at mess2(PHRASAL VERB)

mess around  

mess around
mess around (also mess about British English) phrasal verb informal (see also mess)
1. to spend time lazily, doing things slowly and in a way that is not planned:
    He spent his vacation messing around on the farm.
2. to behave in a silly way when you should be paying attention or doing something sensible
   SYN  fool around:
    Stop messing around and get ready for school.
3. mess somebody around to cause a lot of problems for someone, especially by changing your mind often and not being completely honest:
    Don’t mess me around – I want the money you promised me.

●ˌmess aˈround (BrE also ˌmess aˈbout) to behave in a silly and annoying way, especially instead of doing sth useful 胡闹；瞎闹 SYN fool around ◆Will you stop messing around and get on with some work? 别瞎闹了，干点正经事儿不行吗？🔊to spend time doing sth for pleasure in a relaxed way 逍遥自在地做事◆We spent the day messing around on the river. 我们在河边闲逛了一整天。🔊