Phrasal verb
fool around
Definition
phrasal verb. to behave in a silly way instead of being serious, or to waste time when you have work to do. You might do this when you are bored at school.
phrasal verb. to engage in frivolous or aimless behavior; to act in a playful or irresponsible manner. The verb is intransitive in this sense but takes the preposition 'with' to indicate an object of play or a casual partner.
Examples
“Stop fooling around and get back to work before the boss sees you.”
“The manager warned the staff that there would be no more fooling around during the busy holiday season.”
“Although the atmosphere in the lab was usually professional, the researchers occasionally found time to fool around between long stretches of data entry.”
Examples
simple
“Stop fooling around and get back to work before the boss sees you.”
contextual
“The manager warned the staff that there would be no more fooling around during the busy holiday season.”
complex
“Although the atmosphere in the lab was usually professional, the researchers occasionally found time to fool around between long stretches of data entry.”
Usage
This phrase is informal and often carries a tone of mild disapproval from an authority figure.
Teaching tip
Mention the euphemistic sexual meaning to adult learners so they are aware of the potential double entendre in romantic contexts.
Pitfall
Don't fool around me while I am working.
Don't fool around while I am working.
in the sense of behaving sillily, the verb is intransitive and cannot take a person as a direct object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
around
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
fool + around
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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