fart around

Informal slang meaning to waste time, mess about, or behave without purpose or direction. The term draws on 'fart' as a general expletive-lite intensifier (cf. 'fart about' in British usage) to convey aimless, unproductive behavior. It is mild enough to use in casual conversation without causing serious offense, though it is clearly informal speech rather than polite register. Essentially American English for the British 'fart about'.

To waste time, mess about, or avoid doing what you're supposed to be doing. Farting around is the art of doing nothing useful while looking vaguely busy — scrolling your phone when you should be working, taking ages on a simple task, or just generally dithering. It's mildly vulgar but rarely offensive, and widely understood across English-speaking countries as a casual way to call out someone's time-wasting.

(slang) To waste time, or to fool about.