Monkey about Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To behave in a silly or playful way, often wasting time or not taking things seriously.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often mildly disapproving. Used mainly in British English; in American English, 'monkey around' is more common. Not about actual monkeys. Often used to warn someone to stop fooling around and be serious.
Spanish: hacer el tonto - perder el tiempoPortuguese (BR): fazer palhaçada - brincarPortuguese (PT): fazer macacadas - brincarChinese (Simplified): 胡闹 - 淘气Chinese (Traditional): 胡鬧 - 調皮Hindi: मूर्खता करना - समय बर्बाद करनाArabic: يعبث - يضيع الوقتBengali: আনাড়ি মতো সময় নষ্ট করা - দস্যিপনা করাRussian: баловаться - дурачитьсяJapanese: ふざける - だらだらするVietnamese: nghịch ngợm - làm tròKorean: 장난치다 - 허투루 시간을 보내다Turkish: oyalanmak - şakalaşmakUrdu: شرارت کرنا - مذاق کرناIndonesian: bermain-main - membuang-buang waktu
Example Sentences
Stop monkeying about and finish your homework.
basic
The children were monkeying about in the garden.
basic
Don’t monkey about with those wires; it’s dangerous.
basic
We spent the afternoon just monkeying about at the park, doing nothing serious.
natural
I wish you guys would stop monkeying about and help me clean up.
natural
He was just monkeying about with his phone while waiting for the bus.
natural