clowning about
Being playfully silly
Clowning about is behaving in a silly, playful, or attention-seeking way, often when seriousness is expected.
The phrase suggests lighthearted mischief rather than malice: Stop clowning about and finish your homework.
British variant of clowning around.
- prankingPlaying harmless tricks
- foolingTricking or joking
- goofing offIdling instead of working
- messing aroundIdle, aimless activity
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
joking · jesting · cracking jokes · antics · joke · slapstick · mischief · frolicking · parodying · merrymaking · lampooning · bantering · larking · tomfoolery · laugh · having a laugh · playfulness · funny
seriousness of behavior
clowning aboutkeeping a straight face
productivity and focus
clowning aboutgetting down to business
Focusing on the task
buckling down · focusing · concentrating · knuckling down · applying oneself
clown, clowns, clowned, clowning, clownish, clownishly, about