dick around
B2 slang inseparable both
In simple words
To waste time not doing anything important, or to treat someone badly by messing them around.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
slang
To waste time doing nothing useful or behaving in a silly, aimless way.
"We've been dicking around all morning — can we please get started?"
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
slang
To treat someone in an evasive, inconsiderate, or manipulative manner.
"Don't let them dick you around — get the agreement in writing."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Vulgar and informal. More common in American and Australian English than 'dick about'. Conveys frustration on the speaker's part. Not appropriate in professional or polite settings. As a transitive verb, it means to treat someone without respect or to waste their time.
Commonly used with
stop time work someone
Forms
Base
dick around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dicks around
he/she/it
Past simple
dicked around
yesterday
Past participle
dicked around
have + pp
-ing form
dicking around
continuous
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Synonyms
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