mess around with
- Dictionary
mess around with(
mehs
uh
-
raund
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)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. pasar el rato con
Sam's not here; he's out messing around with his friends.Sam no está; está en la calle pasando el rato con sus amigos.
2. (colloquial) (to handle)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. andar tocando
Dad said he doesn't want you messing around 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 around with the plumbing for two hours, I gave up and called an expert.Después de enredar con las tuberías durante dos horas, me rendí y llamé a un experto.
3. (colloquial) (to have an affair with)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. tener un lío con
Everyone's pretty sure Alfredo is messing around with his secretary.Todo el mundo está bastante seguro de que Alfredo tiene un lío con su asistente.
4. (colloquial) (to be physically intimate with)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. ligarse con (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Ben was messing around with Allison underneath the bleachers of the football field.Ben se estaba ligando con Alison 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).
Paula messed around Alan once, but then she decided he wasn't her type.Paula se enrolló con Alán una vez, pero después decidió que no era su tipo.
5. (colloquial) (to change)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. meterse en
You don't want to mess around with that gang. Those guys are ruthless.No te quieres meter con esa pandilla. Esos tipos son despiadados.
b. involucrarse en
Marta, who was a devout Catholic, was stunned to find out her son was messing around with the occult.Marta, 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 around 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.
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