verb
horse
To play roughly or foolishly, usually with “around.”
The children horse around in the yard after lunch.
Etymology
The animal name supplied an image for large, rough, boisterous behavior. The verb phrase horse around applies that quality to playful or foolish activity.
More examples
- Stop horsing around near the glass door.
- We horsed around until the teacher returned.
- He is always horsing around with his cousins.
Forms
horse · horses · horsed · horsing
Similar words
- roughhouse
- More specifically suggests boisterous physical play.
- fool around
- Can be playful without the same physical roughness.