jive around
C1 slang intransitive
In simple words
To say things that aren't true or to waste time talking about nothing important.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
slang
To talk in a deceptive or insincere way; to make empty or misleading conversation.
"Stop jiving around and tell me what actually happened."
2 C1
idiomatic
slang
To waste time or behave in a silly, aimless manner.
"We spent the afternoon jiving around downtown with nothing to do."
Usage notes
Primarily African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in origin. 'Jive' on its own already carries the sense of insincere or foolish talk; 'around' adds a sense of aimlessness. Largely dated; more common in mid-20th-century American speech.
Commonly used with
stop quit don't all day
Forms
Base
jive around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
jives around
he/she/it
Past simple
jived around
yesterday
Past participle
jived around
have + pp
-ing form
jiving around
continuous
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