mess about with
- Dictionary
mess about with(
mehs
uh
-
baut
wihth
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (colloquial) (to spend time with) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. pasar el rato
Barrett's not here; he's out messing about with his friends.Barrett no está; está en la calle pasando el rato con sus amigos.
2. (colloquial) (general) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. andar tocando
Dad said he doesn't want you messing about with the thermostat. Leave it where it is.Papá dijo que no quiere que andes tocando el termostato. Déjalo como está.
b. enredar con
After messing about with the plumbing for two hours, my brother gave up and called an expert.Después de enredar con las tuberías durante dos horas, mi hermano se rindió y llamó a un experto.
3. (colloquial) (to have an affair with) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. tener un lío con
Everyone's pretty sure Juan Carlos is messing about with his secretary.Todo el mundo está bastante seguro de que Juan Carlos tiene un lío con su asistente.
4. (colloquial) (to be physically intimate with) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. ligarse con (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Alex was messing about with Beth underneath the bleachers of the football field.Alex se estaba ligando con Beth debajo las gradas descubiertas del campo de fútbol.
b. enrollarse con (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Federica messed about Edgar once, but then she decided he wasn't her type.Federica se enrolló con Édgar una vez, pero después decidió que no era su tipo.
5. (colloquial) (to manipulate) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
6. (colloquial) (to become entangled with) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. meterse con
You don't want to mess about with that lot. Those guys are ruthless.No te quieres meter con esos, que son unos tipos son despiadados.
b. involucrarse con
Amparo, who was a devout Catholic, was stunned to find out her son was messing about with the occult.Amparo, que era católica devota, se quedó atónita al enterarse de que su hijo se estaba involucrando con lo oculto.
c. enredarse en
You don't want to mess about with tax fraud. You're better off just paying your taxes.No te quieres enredar en el fraude fiscal. Más te vale pagar tus impuestos.
Examples
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