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fluff about

C1 informal intransitive
In simple words

To spend time doing small, silly things that are not important instead of doing what you should be doing.

Literal meaning: To fluff (make fluffy, airy) about — suggesting light, inconsequential movement without purpose.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

To spend time doing unimportant or trivial things instead of being productive.

"Stop fluffing about and get the report finished — it's due this afternoon."

2 C1 idiomatic informal

To move or busy oneself with light, fussy, or inconsequential actions.

"She was fluffing about with the cushions instead of addressing the real problem."

Usage notes

Mainly British English, and relatively rare even there. Informal and slightly playful in tone. Similar to 'faff about' but even less commonly used.

Commonly used with

time morning afternoon deadline

Forms

Base
fluff about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fluffs about
he/she/it
Past simple
fluffed about
yesterday
Past participle
fluffed about
have + pp
-ing form
fluffing about
continuous

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