hack around
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To spend time playing and experimenting with something, especially a computer, without a fixed plan.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To spend time casually experimenting with code, technology, or ideas without a specific goal.
"I spent the weekend just hacking around with a new programming language I wanted to learn."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To pass time in an aimless or unproductive way.
"Stop hacking around and get your homework done."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The computing sense is particularly common in tech and developer communities, where it is largely positive. The general sense of passing time aimlessly is similar to 'mess around'. Primarily informal American English in the tech sense.
Commonly used with
code project computer idea system weekend
Forms
Base
hack around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hacks around
he/she/it
Past simple
hacked around
yesterday
Past participle
hacked around
have + pp
-ing form
hacking around
continuous
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