muck about

• Неформальное британское выражение, означающее вести себя глупо или игриво, тратить время впустую или заниматься бесцельной деятельностью вместо того, чтобы делать что-то продуктивное.

An informal British expression meaning to behave in a silly or playful way, waste time, or engage in aimless activity instead of doing something productive.

1. Behave foolishly or waste timeB2informalbritish

   To behave in a silly or unproductive way; to waste time instead of doing something serious.

   Бездельничать или вести себя глупо

   • Stop mucking about and get your homework done.
   • The kids were mucking about in the garden instead of cleaning.
   • He spent the whole afternoon mucking about with his friends.

2. Interfere or meddleB2informalbritish

   To handle something carelessly or interfere with something, often causing damage or confusion.

   Вмешиваться или возиться

   • Who's been mucking about with my computer settings?
   • Don't muck about with the thermostat; it's set correctly.
   • He was mucking about with the engine and now it won't start.