# play around

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-around
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To engage in sexual practices outside of marriage.

## Examples

- He is married, but he still likes to play around.
- Their marriage fell apart after she discovered that her husband had been playing around for years.
- Despite his public image as a devoted family man, rumors persisted that he had been playing around throughout his long political career.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.