1 B2 idiomatic slang
To waste time by behaving aimlessly or doing nothing productive.
"Stop dicking about and finish writing that report."
inseparable
dick about
B2 slang inseparable transitive/intransitive
(British, vulgar informal) To waste time doing nothing useful, or to treat someone inconsiderately.
In plain English
To waste time doing silly, unimportant things, or to treat someone badly by not being straight with them.
What does "dick about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
To treat someone inconsiderately by being evasive, unreliable, or manipulative.
"The contractor kept dicking us about with new excuses every week."
separable
Usage tip
British English slang, mildly vulgar. Used to describe aimless time-wasting or messing someone around. As a transitive verb ('stop dicking me about'), it means to treat someone badly or waste their time. Not appropriate in formal contexts.
Words that pair with "dick about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
stop around wasting time people
How to conjugate "dick about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dick about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dicks about
he/she/it
Past simple
dicked about
yesterday
Past participle
dicked about
have + pp
-ing form
dicking about
continuous
Hear "dick about" in the wild
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