mess around

Meaning

1. 1

   to behave in a silly and annoying way, especially instead of doing sth useful

   Will you stop messing around and get on with some work?

2. 2

   to spend time doing sth for pleasure in a relaxed way

   We spent the day messing around on the river.

3. 3

   mess sb about / aroundBritish

   to treat sb in an unfair and annoying way, especially by changing your mind a lot or not doing what you said you would

In the movies · 25

• Are you messing around right now?The Suicide Squad2021
• And don't mess about with my customers.Night and the City1950
• I'm just messing around with you.The Way Way Back2013
• We still mess around...August Rush2007
• We're listening to Mess Around…Ray2004
• Don't do it. Don't mess around.A Beautiful Mind2001
• I don't got time to mess around.Turning Red2022
• You don't mess around with sacred things!Whale Rider2003

Learn it in full scenes

• Night and the City1950
  • Harry Pitches His Fuel Pill to Mary
  • Mary Borrows Money From Adam
  • Harry Gets the Club Rules
• The Way Way Back2013
  • Trent Rates Duncan a Three
  • Betty Welcomes the New Neighbors
  • Dinner at Trent's Beach House
• Turning Red2022
  • Mei Turns Into a Red Panda
  • Mei Turns into a Red Panda
  • Mei's Friends Have Her Back

From the same entry

• no messing
• not mess around
• mess around with
• mess around with
• mess up
• mess up
• mess up
• mess with

More phrasal verbs

• go on doing
• stick up for
• come on
• get ahead
• stick out
• add up
• fill in
• start off
• look through
• run away from
• build up
• walk out