meddling around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meddling around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is interfering or tampering with something in a way that is often unnecessary or unwanted. Example: "Stop meddling around with my things; I need them organized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I get in there and start meddling around with dusty boxes and rickety, worn-in stuff.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's a very necessary distinction — they really don't want to encourage people to meddle around with systems on live flights.

TechCrunch

There has been no indication of major-label meddling this time around, and why would there be?

The New York Times - Arts

"The crime in all of this is that people are sitting around meddling into the very minutiae of what people are putting in their mouths," he said.

The New York Times - Food

Over the past several months, the closest I have come to getting a Russian politician to acknowledge the hacking claims was when a pro-Kremlin lawmaker told me that if anyone inside the Russian state was responsible — which he denied — it was probably done to show American officials that they are not the only ones who can go around meddling in other people's elections.

The New Yorker

On one of several visits he makes to gun shows, during which he tries hard to understand rather than to condemn, he observes, "The whites felt like a despised minority — different, defeated, misunderstood, meddled with, pushed around, cheated".

The New Yorker

WASHINGTON — In the months leading up to Senator Barack Obama's big loss in the Pennsylvania primary, he was a detached manager: around, but not meddling.

The New York Times

No more meddling with Venezuela".

The New Yorker

Will he stop meddling in Ukraine?

The Economist

Should he really be meddling with time?

The New Yorker

According to Joseph Blotner's "Faulkner: A Biography," Faulkner distributed a broadside around town criticizing the ministers who had lined up in opposition, condemning them as meddling in civic affairs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meddling around", consider the context to ensure the phrase accurately conveys the level and intent of interference. It often implies a casual or somewhat unwelcome involvement.

Common error

While "meddling around" is acceptable, it might sound too informal for professional or academic writing. In such cases, consider alternatives like "interfering" or "intervening" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meddling around" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of interfering or intruding in a casual or unauthorized manner. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's grammatically sound, though not extremely common. The examples suggest a sense of unwanted or unnecessary involvement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meddling around" is a verb phrase indicating casual or unwelcome interference. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct but relatively uncommon, with usage primarily found in news and media contexts. While acceptable in many situations, it is considered relatively informal and, as such, writers should favor more formal alternatives such as "interfering" or "intervening" in professional or academic writing. The examples illustrate its use in expressing disapproval of unwanted involvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meddling

Omits the preposition "around" but retains the core meaning of unwanted interference.

messing around

Indicates casual or mischievous interference.

interfering

This term emphasizes direct involvement and potential disruption.

intervening

Suggests stepping in to affect an outcome or situation.

tampering

Suggests unauthorized or harmful alteration.

intruding

Highlights unwelcome entry or involvement.

poking around

Implies casual or nosy investigation.

butting in

Emphasizes interrupting or interfering in a conversation or situation.

tinkering

Focuses on making small adjustments or repairs, sometimes without expertise.

fooling around

Conveys a sense of aimless or playful messing with something.

FAQs

What does "meddling around" mean?

The phrase "meddling around" describes interfering or tampering with something, often in a way that is unnecessary or unwanted. It suggests a casual yet intrusive involvement.

What can I say instead of "meddling around"?

You can use alternatives like "interfering", "tampering", or "poking around" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "meddling around" a formal expression?

No, "meddling around" is generally considered an informal expression. For formal contexts, consider using more neutral terms like "intervening" or "influencing".

How can I use "meddling around" in a sentence?

You can use "meddling around" in a sentence like this: "I wish he would stop "meddling around" with my computer settings; he always messes them up".