Browse all

fuck around

B2 slang inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To waste time not doing anything important, or to have sex with different people without commitment.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic slang

To waste time or avoid doing something useful; to behave in an aimless or silly way.

"We can't keep fucking around — the launch is in two days and nothing is ready."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic slang

To have casual sexual relationships with multiple partners.

"After the breakup, he spent a year just fucking around before he was ready to date seriously again."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic slang

To behave recklessly or ignore warnings, with the implication that negative consequences will follow (especially in the phrase 'fuck around and find out').

"You want to skip safety training? Go ahead and fuck around and find out what happens."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Strongly vulgar. The expression 'fuck around and find out' has become a very widely known internet meme meaning that reckless behaviour will lead to consequences. Regionally more common in American English.

Commonly used with

time all day instead of working people consequences

Forms

Base
fuck around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fucks around
he/she/it
Past simple
fucked around
yesterday
Past participle
fucked around
have + pp
-ing form
fucking around
continuous

Understand "fuck around" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "fuck around" on Looplines