fanny about
Dither without purpose
To fanny about is British slang for wasting time or behaving indecisively—puttering around without accomplishing anything: Stop fannying about and make a decision.
The phrase suggests aimless, inefficient activity that tries someone's patience.
Also *fanny around*.
The American equivalent is *fart around* or *dick around*.
idling
Linger without purpose
- dilly-dallyWaste time idly
- potterMaker of clay vessels
- faffAimless fussing about
- loafBaked bread shape
piddle · trifle · lollygag · bumble · putter · tinker · fool around · waste time
dawdle
Linger without purpose
- dilly-dallyWaste time idly
- potterMaker of clay vessels
- faffAimless fussing about
loaf · piddle · trifle · lollygag · bumble · putter · tinker · fool around · waste time · kill time
purposefulness of action
fanny aboutget down to business
Begin focused work
get on with it · knuckle down · crack on · buckle down · get stuck in