goof around
Waste time playfully
To goof around is to waste time playfully, engaging in silly or aimless behavior rather than anything productive: Stop goofing around and finish your homework.
The phrase suggests lighthearted mischief rather than serious misconduct—more clowning than delinquency.
- teaseMock playfully
- horseplayBoisterous rough behavior
- clownComedic performer in makeup
- prankPlayful trick on someone
- hijinksBoisterous playful mischief
monkey business · cut up · procrastinate · kill time · tomfoolery · shenanigans · skylark · dilly-dally · lollygag · frolic · cavort · loaf · giggling · dawdle · wasting time · jest · antics · silliness
goof aroundwork hard
Expend serious effort
get down to business · buckle down · focus · knuckle down · concentrate
goof aroundbuckle down
Apply oneself determinedly
knuckle down · get to work · apply oneself · burn the midnight oil · bear down
goof aroundbehave oneself
Act with proper conduct
behave · straighten up · settle down · toe the line · act one's age