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

“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

Despite the intensity of the material, Snook describes the “All Her Fault” production as a place where cast members were joking and messing around to counteract the sadness their characters were enduring.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

And host Claudia Winkleman was in no mood for messing around.

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2025

I know Gale’s been down here working with Beetee a lot, but I assumed they were messing around with bows and guns.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins