messing around

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They need to know you’re not messing around.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

The Lakers weren’t messing around during the film sessions or practices.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Jesse Kardon has come a long way from his days as a teenager messing around with Ableton in his bedroom.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

“If you’re a company who’s messing around with these types of practices on consumers, you’re watching how well they work,” said Lindsay Owens, executive director of Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive think tank.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

“Nah, that story’s just one of those things you tell kids to teach them lessons, isn’t it? ‘Don’t go looking for trouble, don’t pick fights, don’t go messing around with stuff that’s best left alone!

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling