goofed off
Avoided doing work
Goofed off is the past tense of goof off, meaning to waste time or avoid work through idle amusement: We goofed off all afternoon instead of studying.
The phrase implies lighthearted laziness rather than deliberate sabotage—more about distraction than defiance.
- dawdledMoved slowly, idly
- shirkedAvoided obligated tasks
- loafBaked bread shape
- lollygaggedSpent time aimlessly
- screwed aroundActed foolishly, idly
fooled around · idled · prank · slacking · frittered · killed time · flop · relaxed · bummed around · malingered · messed around · farted around · goldbricked · chilling · frolicking · dilly-dallied · wasted time · daydreamed
goofed offbuckled down
Began working earnestly
worked hard · knuckled down · applied oneself · got down to business · toiled
goofed offconcentrated
Gathered or intensified
focused · paid attention · hunkered down · zeroed in · applied oneself
off, goof, goofy, goofing, goofs, goofed, goofball, goofier, goofiest