Past tense for to act flirtatiously, especially just for fun
“He's the guy who goes to the gym and shows off his muscles just to mess around with the women.”
Past tense for to behave or act in a jocular manner
“I couldn't tell if he was serious, or just trying to mess around.”
Past tense for to tinker with something casually or in a nonserious manner
“I point the remote at the TV and mess around with the controls.”
Past tense for to interfere with something, typically causing damage or harm to it
“If potential criminals can't get to your computer, they can't steal it, and they sure can't mess around with the data it contains.”
Past tense for to mistreat someone
“Santo kept messing around, and it was bound to happen that he'd mess around with the wrong woman once too often and pay the price.”
Past tense for to waste or spend time in aimless or frivolous activity
“I was feeling lazy anyway, so it was a perfect day to mess around doing nothing special.”
Past tense for to associate or keep company with
“Who are the four kids in this school you would choose to mess around with?”
Past tense for to pass time doing unimportant things
Past tense for to behave badly, mischievously, or in an overemotional way
Past tense for to be engaged in a love affair, typically one of which the speaker disapproves
(colloquial) Past tense for to poke fun at or make fun of
Past tense for to engage in leisurely or unproductive activities
Past tense for to engage in aimless or frivolous activities, often wasting time or being promiscuous
Past tense for to play or toy around with something
Past tense for to deceive or fool someone
Past tense for to do nothing in particular
(experiment with or on) Past tense for to perform an experimental procedure, especially for scientific purposes
Past tense for to fail to act resolutely or decisively
Past tense for to intrude, meddle, or trespass in others' affairs
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