mess about with (something)
idiom
British, informal
1
: to use or do (something) in a way that is not very serious
I'm not really a painter; I just like to mess about with paints.
She spent the evening messing about with the computer.
2
: to handle or play with (something) in a careless or foolish way
Stop messing about with the stereo.
Cite this Entry
“Mess about with (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mess%20about%20with%20%28something%29. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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