clowning around
Being a joker
Clowning around is playful, silly behavior that's often disruptive or inappropriate to the setting: Stop clowning around and finish your homework.
The phrase suggests antics meant to entertain or get attention, like a circus clown's exaggerated performances.
It's usually mild criticism—more eye-roll than serious rebuke.
- horseplayBoisterous rough behavior
- hijinksBoisterous playful mischief
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- skylarkingFrivolous, boisterous play
jesting · cutting up · cutting capers · buffoonery · mischief · pranks · silliness · goofing off · carrying on · goofing · teasing · having a laugh · merrymaking · bantering · foolishness · jokes · making faces · ham it up
- school mischiefspitballs, note passing, passing notes, cheating, copying
- horseplayroughhousing, hijinks, antics, horseplay, high jinks
clowning aroundbuckling down
Applying oneself with determination
getting down to business · knuckling down · focusing · applying oneself · concentrating
around, clown, clowning, clowns, clownish, clowned, clownery, clownishness