english
1
general::
Phrase(s): fool around to waste time doing something unnecessary or doing something amateurishly. • Stop fooling around and clean your room as I told you. • I wish you didn’t spend so much time fooling around.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Also, monkey around. Engage in idle or casual activity, putter. For example, Jim loved to fool around with his computer, or She was monkeying around with some figures in hopes of balancing the budget. [Second half of 1800s] 2. Engage in frivolous activity, waste time. For example, Instead of studying, he spends all his spare time fooling around. Also see FOOL AWAY. 3. Engage in flirting or casual sexual acts; also, engage in adultery. For example, He caught the two teenagers fooling around in the basement. [1830s]
American Heritage Idioms