messing around

Verb

mess around (third-person singular simple present messes around, present participle messing around, simple past and past participle messed around)

1. (informal) To fiddle idly.
   • The kids sat there messing around with leaves and blades of grass because they were bored.

   Synonyms:

   faff about, dick around, waste time

2. (informal) To joke, kid, or play.
   • Hey, don't take it personally. I was only messing around.
3. (informal) To have a sexual relationship, especially one which is noncommittal.
   • Rumor has it that he's messing around with his secretary.
4. (dated, slang, African-American Vernacular) To dance.