Muck around Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈmək/ /ɝˈaʊn/, /ɝˈaʊnd

MUHK-uh-ROWND

UK

mˈʌk/ /ɐɹˈaʊnd

MUHK-uh-ROWND

Definition

To spend time doing unimportant or silly things instead of being productive; to play or mess around.

Usage & Nuances

Mainly British and informal. Used with friends, often about wasting time or being playful. In American English, 'goof around' or 'mess around' are more common. Usually not used in formal writing or professional situations.

• Spanish: perder el tiempo - hacer tonterías
• Portuguese (BR): ficar de bobeira - brincar - perder tempo
• Portuguese (PT): andar à toa - brincar - perder tempo
• Chinese (Simplified): 瞎混 - 浪费时间
• Chinese (Traditional): 瞎混 - 浪費時間
• Hindi: आवारा घूमना - समय बर्बाद करना
• Arabic: يضيع الوقت - يعبث
• Bengali: সময় নষ্ট করা - আলগা ভাবে সময় কাটানো
• Russian: бездельничать - валять дурака
• Japanese: だらだらする - ふざける
• Vietnamese: lơ đãng chơi bời - lãng phí thời gian
• Korean: 빈둥거리다 - 시간 낭비하다
• Turkish: oyalanmak - boş boş dolaşmak
• Urdu: وقت ضائع کرنا - آوارہ گردی کرنا
• Indonesian: berleha-leha - main-main - buang-buang waktu

Example Sentences

Please stop mucking around and finish your homework.

basic

The kids love to muck around in the park after school.

basic

They were mucking around with their phones instead of studying.

basic

We don't have any plans, we're just going to muck around downtown for a bit.

natural

Stop mucking around and help me carry these boxes, will you?

natural

He got in trouble for mucking around during class again.

natural