mess about
- Dictionary
mess about(
mehs
uh
-
baut
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (colloquial) (to hang out) (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
We were glad to have the afternoon to just mess about and not have to work.Nos alegró tener la tarde para pasar el rato nada más y no tener que trabajar.
2. (colloquial) (to waste time) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. perder el tiempo
I can't spend the day messing about with the amount of work you've got in front of me.No puedo pasar todo el día perdiendo el tiempo con la cantidad de trabajo que tengo por delante.
c. hacer el indio (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Enough messing about. Get back to work!Basta de hacer el indio. ¡A trabajar!
a. jugar
The children were messing about in the garden when their mother called them in for dinner.Los niños estaban jugando en el jardín cuando su madre los llamó a cenar.
a. decir bobadas
Brian has a very dry sense of humor, so people sometimes don't know when he's just messing about.Brian tiene un sentido de humor muy seco, así que a veces la gente no sabe cuando solo está diciendo bobadas.
b. bromear
Don't be so sensitive! I was just messing about!¡No seas tan sensible! ¡Si solo estaba bromeando!
5. (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 (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Pablo and Ines were messing about in his car when her father showed up.Pablo e Inés se estaban ligando en su carro cuando apareció el padre de ella.
b. enrollarse (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
The first time I messed about with Gustavo, he came right out and told me he loved me. It was all a bit much, you know?La primera vez que me enrollé con Gustavo, salió con que me amaba. Fue como demasiado, ¿sabes?
6. (colloquial) (to have an affair) (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
Arthur's wife left him when she found out he'd been messing about.La esposa de Arthur lo dejó cuando se enteró de que había tenido un lío.
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.).
7. (colloquial) (to provoke) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
a. torear
I've been back to have this mended three times, and you keep messing me about; I'd just like my money back.He vuelto para que arreglen esto cuatro veces ya, y me siguen toreando; solo quiero que me devuelvan el dinero.
b. tomar el pelo (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Quit messing me about. Be serious for just a minute, will you?Deja de tomarme el pelo. Sé serio si solo por un minuto, ¿quieres?
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