goof off
B1 informal intransitive
In simple words
To do nothing and avoid your work when you should be busy.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To avoid doing work or to waste time when you should be productive.
"He spent the whole morning goofing off on social media instead of finishing his report."
Usage notes
Primarily American English. Implies deliberately avoiding responsibility or wasting time. The tone is often mildly critical but not strongly negative. Common in workplace and school contexts.
Commonly used with
work school internet all day instead of boss
Forms
Base
goof off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
goofs off
he/she/it
Past simple
goofed off
yesterday
Past participle
goofed off
have + pp
-ing form
goofing off
continuous
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Synonyms
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