putz around
C1 informal intransitive
In simple words
To do nothing useful and just hang around doing small, silly things.
Literal meaning: To move around like a foolish or aimless person ('putz' = Yiddish slang for a fool).
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To spend time doing unimportant, aimless tasks without any clear goal.
"Stop putzing around and finish your homework before dinner."
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To occupy oneself with trivial activities, typically at home, without being productive.
"He spent the whole Saturday putzing around the garage, not really fixing anything."
Usage notes
Primarily American English, informal. 'Putz' derives from Yiddish, meaning a fool or a foolish person. Used to describe someone wasting time or doing trivial things without direction. Slightly more negative in tone than 'putter around.' Not common in British English.
Commonly used with
weekend house garage afternoon all day
Forms
Base
putz around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
putzes around
he/she/it
Past simple
putzed around
yesterday
Past participle
putzed around
have + pp
-ing form
putzing around
continuous
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