Faff about
verb
To waste time doing unimportant things.
Stop faffing about and get to work!
Often appears as...
- faff about with something
- faff about doing something
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
verb
To behave or move nervously or restlessly.
He spent the whole day faffing about, clearly anxious.
Often appears as...
- faff about anxiously
- faff about restlessly
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
verb
To waste time doing unimportant things.
Stop faffing about and get to work!
Often appears as...
- faff about with something
- faff about doing something
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
verb
To behave or move nervously or restlessly.
He spent the whole day faffing about, clearly anxious.
Often appears as...
- faff about anxiously
- faff about restlessly
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Time Wasting
Used to describe someone who is not being productive when they should be.
Every time I ask him to clean, he just faffs about.
Pro Tip 2/3Procrastinating Behavior
Indicates delaying or avoiding tasks by focusing on trivial activities.
She's just faffing about instead of starting her essay.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Generally has a negative connotation, suggesting inefficiency or laziness.
He could've finished hours ago if he hadn't faffed about.
Pro Tip 1/3Time Wasting
Used to describe someone who is not being productive when they should be.
Every time I ask him to clean, he just faffs about.
Pro Tip 2/3Procrastinating Behavior
Indicates delaying or avoiding tasks by focusing on trivial activities.
She's just faffing about instead of starting her essay.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Generally has a negative connotation, suggesting inefficiency or laziness.
He could've finished hours ago if he hadn't faffed about.
Pro Tip 1/3Time Wasting
Used to describe someone who is not being productive when they should be.
Every time I ask him to clean, he just faffs about.
Pro Tip 2/3Procrastinating Behavior
Indicates delaying or avoiding tasks by focusing on trivial activities.
She's just faffing about instead of starting her essay.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Generally has a negative connotation, suggesting inefficiency or laziness.
He could've finished hours ago if he hadn't faffed about.
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