arse about
C1 slang inseparable intransitive
In simple words
Waste time doing nothing useful, or act in a stupid silly way.
Literal meaning: 'Arse' is a rude word for buttocks; 'about' suggests movement in an unfocused direction.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
slang
To waste time doing unimportant or silly things instead of working or being productive.
"Stop arseing about and help me fix the fence!"
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
slang
To behave in a silly or clownish way; to fool around.
"The kids were arseing about in the garden, throwing water balloons at each other."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Vulgar British and Australian slang. Not appropriate in formal contexts. Common in informal speech among friends. Often used in the imperative ('stop arseing about!'). The American equivalent is 'ass around'.
Commonly used with
time work job mess nothing all day
Forms
Base
arse about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
arses about
he/she/it
Past simple
arsed about
yesterday
Past participle
arsed about
have + pp
-ing form
arsing about
continuous
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