muck around
B1 informal separable both
In simple words
To play around doing nothing useful, or to mess someone around.
Literal meaning: To wander around in muck (dirt) — suggests pointless, messy activity.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To spend time in an idle, playful, or unproductive way.
"We spent the afternoon mucking around by the river instead of studying."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
informal
To treat someone in a careless or unreliable way, wasting their time.
"Don't let that company muck you around — demand a clear answer."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common in British and Australian English. Virtually synonymous with 'muck about.' In the transitive sense, 'muck someone around' means to treat them badly or unreliably. American English prefers 'mess around.'
Commonly used with
kids time stop workplace partner client
Forms
Base
muck around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mucks around
he/she/it
Past simple
mucked around
yesterday
Past participle
mucked around
have + pp
-ing form
mucking around
continuous
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Synonyms
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