Phrasal verb
loaf about
Definition
phrasal verb. to spend time doing nothing or being lazy instead of working. You use this when someone is just hanging around without a purpose.
phrasal verb. to spend time in an idle or aimless manner. This intransitive phrasal verb often carries a connotation of disapproval regarding the subject's lack of productivity.
Examples
“Stop loafing about and help me clean the kitchen.”
“During the summer holidays, the teenagers spent most of their afternoons loafing about in the local park.”
“Rather than pursuing his studies with any vigor, he spent the better part of the semester loafing about the common room, much to his tutor's chagrin.”
Examples
simple
“Stop loafing about and help me clean the kitchen.”
contextual
“During the summer holidays, the teenagers spent most of their afternoons loafing about in the local park.”
complex
“Rather than pursuing his studies with any vigor, he spent the better part of the semester loafing about the common room, much to his tutor's chagrin.”
Usage
This phrase is informal and usually suggests that the person should be doing something more productive.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'relax' (positive) or 'loiter' (often implies suspicious or illegal hanging around); 'loaf about' is specifically about laziness.
Pitfall
He spent the day loafing about his chores.
He spent the day loafing about instead of doing his chores.
The phrase cannot take the task being avoided as a direct object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
about
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
loaf + about
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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