1 C1 idiomatic slang
To waste time doing unimportant or silly things instead of working or being productive.
"Stop arseing about and help me fix the fence!"
inseparable
arse about
C1 slang inseparable intransitive
To waste time doing silly or unproductive things; to behave foolishly or irresponsibly.
In plain English
Waste time doing nothing useful, or act in a stupid silly way.
What does "arse about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
To behave in a silly or clownish way; to fool around.
"The kids were arseing about in the garden, throwing water balloons at each other."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
'Arse' is a rude word for buttocks; 'about' suggests movement in an unfocused direction.
Actually means
Waste time doing nothing useful, or act in a stupid silly way.
Usage tip
Vulgar British and Australian slang. Not appropriate in formal contexts. Common in informal speech among friends. Often used in the imperative ('stop arseing about!'). The American equivalent is 'ass around'.
Words that pair with "arse about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
time work job mess nothing all day
How to conjugate "arse about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
arse about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
arses about
he/she/it
Past simple
arsed about
yesterday
Past participle
arsed about
have + pp
-ing form
arsing about
continuous
Hear "arse about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "arse about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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