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playing around

[ˈpleɪɪŋ əˈraʊnd]
verb phrase
brincando, brincar, mexer
1. engaging in playful or frivolous activity; not being serious
Stop playing around and get to work.
Para de brincar e volta ao trabalho.
2. engaging in casual romantic or sexual activity without commitment
They were just playing around; it wasn't a serious relationship.
Eles estavam apenas brincando; não era um relacionamento sério.
3. experimenting or tinkering with something
I was playing around with the new software.
Eu estava mexendo com o novo software.
NYC Slang
messin' around, foolin' around, goofin' off
Synonyms
fooling aroundmessing aroundjoking aroundgoofing offtinkering
Antonyms
getting seriousfocusingconcentratingbeing earnest

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
brincando, mexendo
most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
zoando, brincando
informal, colloquial usage
São Paulo
brincando, mexendo
standard usage
Portugal
brincar, andar à brincadeira
slightly more formal phrasing

Related Idioms & Phrases

stop playing around
quit playing games
no time for games
get down to business
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