hack about
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To cut or change something in a rough, messy way without being careful.
Literal meaning: To use a hacking motion in various directions without precision.
Meanings
1 B2 informal
To cut something in a clumsy, uncontrolled way, making a mess of it.
"He hacked about at the rose bush with his old shears until it looked completely ruined."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To make rough, careless changes to a piece of writing, code, or creative work.
"The editor hacked about the manuscript so much that the author barely recognised her own story."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Chiefly British English. Carries a negative tone, implying carelessness or destructiveness. Used for physical cutting (e.g. plants, wood, text) and for careless editing or interference. 'Hack about' is less common than simply 'hack'.
Commonly used with
text manuscript shrub code script document
Forms
Base
hack about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hacks about
he/she/it
Past simple
hacked about
yesterday
Past participle
hacked about
have + pp
-ing form
hacking about
continuous
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