1 B1 informal
To interfere with or tamper with something, often causing problems.
"Don't mess with the settings — you'll break the whole system."
inseparable
mess with
B1 informal inseparable transitive
To interfere with something or someone, or to provoke and challenge a person.
In plain English
To touch or change something you shouldn't, or to pick a fight with someone.
What does "mess with" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To provoke, threaten, or challenge someone in an aggressive way.
"You really don't want to mess with her — she's a black belt in judo."
“
"Don't mess with Texas."
— Texas Department of Transportation anti-littering campaign slogan, 1986
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To tease or joke with someone playfully.
"Relax — I was just messing with you. Your presentation was great."
inseparable
4 B2 idiomatic informal
To experiment with or try using something, especially something risky.
"He started messing with hard drugs at university and it destroyed his career."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To introduce disorder (mess) into something you are with — idiomatically extended to interference or provocation.
Actually means
To touch or change something you shouldn't, or to pick a fight with someone.
Usage tip
Extremely common in spoken American English. 'Don't mess with me' is a strong warning. 'Messing with' an object means tampering with it. Can also mean to tease or joke with someone in a light-hearted way.
Words that pair with "mess with"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
head system people plan emotions fire
How to conjugate "mess with"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
mess with
I/you/we/they
3rd person
messes with
he/she/it
Past simple
messed with
yesterday
Past participle
messed with
have + pp
-ing form
messing with
continuous
Hear "mess with" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "mess with" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "mess with"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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