dick about
B2 slang inseparable both
In simple words
To waste time doing silly, unimportant things, or to treat someone badly by not being straight with them.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
slang
To waste time by behaving aimlessly or doing nothing productive.
"Stop dicking about and finish writing that report."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
slang
To treat someone inconsiderately by being evasive, unreliable, or manipulative.
"The contractor kept dicking us about with new excuses every week."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
British English slang, mildly vulgar. Used to describe aimless time-wasting or messing someone around. As a transitive verb ('stop dicking me about'), it means to treat someone badly or waste their time. Not appropriate in formal contexts.
Commonly used with
stop around wasting time people
Forms
Base
dick about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dicks about
he/she/it
Past simple
dicked about
yesterday
Past participle
dicked about
have + pp
-ing form
dicking about
continuous
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Synonyms
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