1 C1 idiomatic informal
to move or behave in an affected, overly tidy, or delicate way
"Stop prissing around and help me carry these boxes."
inseparable
priss around
C1 informal inseparable intransitive
to behave in a fussy, affected, or overly delicate way
In plain English
to act too neat, too careful, or too proud in an annoying way
What does "priss around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
to waste time being fussy about unimportant details
"We don't have an hour to priss around with table decorations."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Literally, to move around in a prissy way.
Actually means
to act too neat, too careful, or too proud in an annoying way
Usage tip
Mostly informal and often critical. Derived from 'prissy'. More common in American English.
Words that pair with "priss around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
in the kitchen with your clothes around the house all day in front of people over details
How to conjugate "priss around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
priss around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
prisses around
he/she/it
Past simple
prissed around
yesterday
Past participle
prissed around
have + pp
-ing form
prissing around
continuous
Hear "priss around" in the wild
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