Idiom
faff about
Meanings
To waste time doing unimportant or idle things instead of acting efficiently.
To do a task in a slow, fussy, and inefficient way, making unnecessary adjustments.
Definition
To faff about means to waste time doing unimportant things or to do something in a slow, inefficient way.
If you faff about, you spend time on small, unnecessary actions instead of making real progress. It often suggests being disorganized, distracted, or overly picky. People use it when they feel someone should hurry up or focus on what matters.
Examples
- Stop faffing about and get in the car.
- We faffed about for ages before leaving the house.
- He was faffing about with his keys while everyone waited.
- Don’t faff about—just send the email.
- I kept faffing about in the shop and forgot what I came for.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.