1 C1 idiomatic informal
To spend time doing unimportant or trivial things instead of being productive.
"Stop fluffing about and get the report finished — it's due this afternoon."
fluff about
C1 informal intransitive
To waste time doing trivial, unimportant things in an aimless way.
In plain English
To spend time doing small, silly things that are not important instead of doing what you should be doing.
What does "fluff about" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To move or busy oneself with light, fussy, or inconsequential actions.
"She was fluffing about with the cushions instead of addressing the real problem."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fluff (make fluffy, airy) about — suggesting light, inconsequential movement without purpose.
Actually means
To spend time doing small, silly things that are not important instead of doing what you should be doing.
Usage tip
Mainly British English, and relatively rare even there. Informal and slightly playful in tone. Similar to 'faff about' but even less commonly used.
Words that pair with "fluff about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
time morning afternoon deadline
How to conjugate "fluff about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fluff about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fluffs about
he/she/it
Past simple
fluffed about
yesterday
Past participle
fluffed about
have + pp
-ing form
fluffing about
continuous
Hear "fluff about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "fluff about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.