Differences between fiddle around and play around
Fiddle around usually means to make small, unnecessary adjustments or movements to something, often in a nervous or restless manner. Play around generally means to engage in a playful or casual activity without a specific goal or purpose.
Meanings and Definitions: fiddle around vs play around
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Fiddle around
- 1Waste time doing silly things, or unsuccessful things.
I FIDDLED AROUND with the phone but couldn't get any signal.
- 2Make small movements with your hands.
He FIDDLED AROUND for something in his pockets.
Play around
- 1Be silly.
The children were PLAYING AROUND and being annoying.
- 2Be sexually promiscuous or unfaithful.
I PLAYED AROUND a lot at college.
Usage Examples: fiddle around, play around in Sentences
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fiddle around
Example
She likes to fiddle around with her hair when she's nervous.
Example
He fiddles around with his keys when he's waiting.
play around
Example
She always encourages her kids to play around outside.
Example
He often plays around with his guitar during breaks.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Fiddle around
tinker with
To make small adjustments or changes to something in an attempt to improve it or fix a problem.
Example
He spent hours tinkering with his car's engine to try and fix the strange noise it was making.
futz with
To make small, unnecessary adjustments to something in a nervous or restless manner.
Example
She kept futzing with her hair during the meeting, which was distracting to everyone else.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Play around
have a blast
To have a great time doing something enjoyable or fun.
Example
We had a blast at the concert last night, singing and dancing along to our favorite songs.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “fiddle”
Phrasal Verbs with “around”
Differences in fiddle around vs play around: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: fiddle around or play around?
In daily conversation, people use play around more often than fiddle around. This is because play around is used for more fun and leisure activities such as playing games or joking around. Fiddle around is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about making minor adjustments or wasting time. So, while both phrases are used, play around is more common in everyday conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of fiddle around and play around
Fiddle around and play around are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of fiddle around and play around
The tone of fiddle around and play around can differ based on context. Fiddle around often carries a negative or critical tone when related to wasting time or being unproductive, while play around typically has a positive and lighthearted tone, especially when referring to having fun or being playful.
fiddle around & play around: Synonyms and Antonyms
Fiddle around
Antonyms
- focus
- concentrate
- work diligently
- be productive
- be efficient
- be effective
Play around
Synonyms
- experiment
- dabble
- mess around
- toy with
- tinker
Antonyms
- focus
- be serious
- work diligently
- refrain from experimenting
