Screw around
verb
To waste time doing unimportant things.
Stop screwing around and finish your homework!
Often appears as...
- screwing around on the internet
- screwing around instead of working
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To be sexually unfaithful.
I discovered he had been screwing around with his secretary.
Often appears as...
- screwing around with someone
- found out he was screwing around
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To waste time doing unimportant things.
Stop screwing around and finish your homework!
Often appears as...
- screwing around on the internet
- screwing around instead of working
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To be sexually unfaithful.
I discovered he had been screwing around with his secretary.
Often appears as...
- screwing around with someone
- found out he was screwing around
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Situations
Use 'screw around' in casual conversations, not in formal or professional settings.
They won't hire you if they think you just screw around all day.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Screw around' often implies disapproval of someone not doing what they're supposed to do.
My boss got mad at me for screwing around when I should have been working.
Pro Tip 3/3Playful Tone
Sometimes, 'screw around' can be used in a playful, light-hearted way among friends.
We spent the whole afternoon screwing around at the arcade.
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Situations
Use 'screw around' in casual conversations, not in formal or professional settings.
They won't hire you if they think you just screw around all day.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Screw around' often implies disapproval of someone not doing what they're supposed to do.
My boss got mad at me for screwing around when I should have been working.
Pro Tip 3/3Playful Tone
Sometimes, 'screw around' can be used in a playful, light-hearted way among friends.
We spent the whole afternoon screwing around at the arcade.
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Situations
Use 'screw around' in casual conversations, not in formal or professional settings.
They won't hire you if they think you just screw around all day.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Screw around' often implies disapproval of someone not doing what they're supposed to do.
My boss got mad at me for screwing around when I should have been working.
Pro Tip 3/3Playful Tone
Sometimes, 'screw around' can be used in a playful, light-hearted way among friends.
We spent the whole afternoon screwing around at the arcade.
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