Fool Around

1. To waste time doing unimportant or silly things.

Examples: You’ve fooled around long enough. It’s time to get serious now.
The kids always start fooling around when it’s bedtime.

2. To do something that could lead to an unpleasant or dangerous situation.

Examples: Hey, don’t fool around with dad’s gun!
My sister was in the bathroom fooling around with my mother’s face creams, and her face started burning.

3. To have sexual relations with someone you’re not committed to.

Examples: Never fool around with a friend’s ex.
They’ve been fooling around since the summer.

4. To joke with someone.

Examples: Ian was just fooling around when he called you ugly.
Are you fooling around with me?

See our complete list of English phrasal verbs.