priss around

C1 informal inseparable intransitive

In simple words

to act too neat, too careful, or too proud in an annoying way

Literal meaning: Literally, to move around in a prissy way.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

rare

to move or behave in an affected, overly tidy, or delicate way

"Stop prissing around and help me carry these boxes."

Grammar: inseparable

2 C1 idiomatic informal

rare

to waste time being fussy about unimportant details

"We don't have an hour to priss around with table decorations."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Mostly informal and often critical. Derived from 'prissy'. More common in American English.

in the kitchen with your clothes around the house all day in front of people over details

Base

priss around

I/you/we/they

3rd person

prisses around

he/she/it

Past simple

prissed around

yesterday

Past participle

prissed around

have + pp

-ing form

prissing around

continuous

Try:

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fuss around mess around act prissy dither show affected manners fiddle about

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