Phrasal Verbs

muck around

This page is about the phrasal verb muck around

British and Australian English INFORMAL

Meaning

to waste time when you could be doing something useful

Synonym

mess around, fool around

For example

  • muck around The boss heard us laughing so he came in and told us to stop mucking around and do some work.

  • muck around We didn't do much over the holidays. We just mucked around at home most days.

Note:
"muck about" has the same meaning and can be used in the same way

Variety

This is typically used in British and Australian English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz

Their teacher told them that if they spent all their time mucking around, they'd

a. soon improve

b. get excellent grades

c. never get a good job
a) soon improve b) get excellent grades c) never get a good job

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey