faffing about
Puttering without purpose
Faffing about is British slang for wasting time on trivial activities, puttering around ineffectively, or being indecisive when you should be getting on with things.
It suggests busying yourself without accomplishing anything meaningful: Stop faffing about and get dressed—we're going to be late.
Also *faff around* or simply *faff*.
- dawdlingLeisurely time-wasting
- dilly dallyingIdling without purpose
- indecisivenessFailure to commit
- shilly-shallyingProlonged indecisive behavior
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
dragging feet · fussiness · twiddling thumbs · killing time · wasting time · pottering · lollygagging · aimlessness · vacillation · overthinking · spinning wheels · idling · loitering · distraction · procrastinating · hesitation · disorganization · meandering
faffing aboutgetting things done
Accomplishing tasks effectively
knuckling down · cracking on · buckling down · accomplishing · achieving
faffing abouttaking action
Initiating purposeful effort
taking the plunge · cutting to the chase · pressing on · diving in · committing
faffing aboutconcentrating
Directing mental effort narrowly
focusing · zeroing in · applying oneself · bearing down · keeping one's eye on the ball