fanny about
B2 informal intransitive
In simple words
To waste time and not get anything done.
Literal meaning: To move one's backside around aimlessly — 'fanny' in British slang refers to the buttocks (female genitals in cruder usage).
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To waste time or act in an aimless, unproductive way.
"Stop fannying about and help me carry these boxes!"
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To handle something in an unnecessarily complicated or clumsy manner.
"He spent an hour fannying about with the router settings instead of just resetting it."
Usage notes
British English. Can be mildly offensive depending on audience, as 'fanny' has a vulgar meaning in British slang. Often used to express frustration at someone's inefficiency. Not used in American English.
Commonly used with
stop time around all day instead of working
Forms
Base
fanny about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fannies about
he/she/it
Past simple
fannied about
yesterday
Past participle
fannied about
have + pp
-ing form
fannying about
continuous
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Synonyms
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