What does "mess around with" mean?

To experiment casually or waste time with To play with something without purpose.

How do you use "mess around with" in a sentence?

Stop messing around with that! I was just messing around with ideas. He likes messing around with electronics.

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common informal

Meaning: To experiment casually or waste time with

随意尝试或浪费时间

Experimentar casualmente o perder el tiempo con

気軽に試す、または時間を無駄にする

가볍게 만지작거리다, 시간을 낭비하다

To play with something without purpose.

没有目的地摆弄某物。带有一点负面含义。

Jugar con algo sin propósito. Tiene un matiz ligeramente negativo.

目的なしに何かをいじること。ちょっとネガティブなニュアンスもある。

목적 없이 무언가를 가지고 놀다.

Base verb: mess

Particle: around with

Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together

Stop messing around with that!
别再乱动那个了！
¡Deja de enredar con eso!
それをいじるのをやめなさい！
그것 좀 그만 만져!
I was just messing around with ideas.
我只是随便想想点子
Solo estaba dándole vueltas a ideas
アイデアを適当に考えていただけだよ
그냥 아이디어를 이것저것 생각해 본 것뿐이야.
He likes messing around with electronics.
他喜欢捣鼓电子产品
Le gusta enredar con la electrónica
彼は電子機器をいじるのが好きだ
그는 전자기기를 만지작거리는 것을 좋아한다.

Context: play, experimentation, wasting time

Tone: casual

From making a mess while experimenting.

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal