1 B2 idiomatic slang
To waste time doing nothing useful or behaving in a silly, aimless way.
"We've been dicking around all morning — can we please get started?"
inseparable
dick around
B2 slang inseparable transitive/intransitive
(Vulgar informal) To waste time doing useless things, or to treat someone in a disrespectful or evasive way.
In plain English
To waste time not doing anything important, or to treat someone badly by messing them around.
What does "dick around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
To treat someone in an evasive, inconsiderate, or manipulative manner.
"Don't let them dick you around — get the agreement in writing."
separable
Usage tip
Vulgar and informal. More common in American and Australian English than 'dick about'. Conveys frustration on the speaker's part. Not appropriate in professional or polite settings. As a transitive verb, it means to treat someone without respect or to waste their time.
Words that pair with "dick around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
stop time work someone
How to conjugate "dick around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dick around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dicks around
he/she/it
Past simple
dicked around
yesterday
Past participle
dicked around
have + pp
-ing form
dicking around
continuous
Hear "dick around" in the wild
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Other ways to say "dick around"
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