fool around

Idioms  

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]

---

Example Sentences

"He'd fool around at the reception desk and would check patients in," he says.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

“I would just fool around on the instrument, getting used to the space and the sound,” he told Colorado Public Radio.

From New York Times • Jun. 27, 2023

Those who doubt this are welcome to fool around and find out.

From Washington Post • Apr. 13, 2023

You don’t want to put yourself at risk of getting sick, so if you see a recall that involves salmonella or E. coli, don’t fool around: Toss the product or return it to the store.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2022

He never had many watches to fix, and when he finished he would fool around the house doing any little job that was needed.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers