fidget with
[/ˈfɪdʒɪt wɪð/]
phrasal verb
mexer em; brincar com; mexericar em
1. to make small restless movements with one's hands or body while handling or touching something
Stop fidgeting with your phone during the meeting.
Pare de mexer no seu celular durante a reunião.
2. to touch or adjust something repeatedly in a nervous or absent-minded way
He was fidgeting with his tie, clearly nervous about the interview.
Ele estava mexericando na sua gravata, claramente nervoso sobre a entrevista.
3. to tinker with something; to make minor adjustments to an object
She fidgeted with the radio dial trying to find the right station.
Ela mexeu no seletor do rádio tentando encontrar a estação certa.
Both in Brazilian Portuguese and American English, 'fidget with' is commonly used to describe nervous behavior or the inability to stay still. In educational and professional contexts, fidgeting is often seen as a sign of anxiety or lack of focus. The behavior is frequently observed in ADHD discussions and classroom settings. In Brazil, the phrase reflects cultural acceptance of expressive body language, while in the USA it may be viewed more negatively in formal settings.
NYC Slang
mess with; play with; tinker with
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