bugger about
B2 informal inseparable both
In simple words
To waste time doing nothing useful, or to treat someone unfairly by not being straight with them.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To waste time or act in an aimless, unproductive way.
"Stop buggering about and get the report finished before the deadline."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To treat someone in an inconsiderate or dishonest way; to mess someone around.
"The landlord has been buggering us about for months over the deposit."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Chiefly British and Australian. Considered mildly vulgar; avoid in formal contexts. When transitive, means to treat someone inconsiderately or string them along.
Commonly used with
stop time around someone wasting
Forms
Base
bugger about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
buggers about
he/she/it
Past simple
buggered about
yesterday
Past participle
buggered about
have + pp
-ing form
buggering about
continuous
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