dick around

verb

dicked around; dicking around; dicks around

1

intransitive chiefly US, informal + somewhat vulgar : to spend time idly or aimlessly : to waste time : fool around, mess around

You're not spending money to dick around for 12 weeks and put your nose to the desk for the last two …

—Kaylee Kean

I know I don't have time to dick around with people who aren't serious.

—Derek Stonebarger

2

transitive chiefly US, informal + somewhat vulgar : to meddle with or manipulate (someone) : to treat (someone) unfairly

"Let's do the cover anyway," said our managing editor, who is famously unwilling to be dicked around by publicists.

—Richard Corliss

Word History

Etymology

dick, verbal derivative of dick in sense "penis"

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1