Idioms for fool

    be nobody's fool, to be wise or shrewd.

Origin of fool

1
1225–75; Middle English fol, fool < Old French fol < Latin follis bellows, bag; cf. follis

OTHER WORDS FROM fool

un·fooled, adjective un·fool·ing, adjective well-fooled, adjective

Words nearby fool

food-gathering, foodaholic, foodie, foodstuff, foofaraw, fool, fool and his money are soon parted, a, fool around, fool away, fool hen, fool's cap

Words related to fool around

dawdle, idle, lark

British Dictionary definitions for fool around (1 of 2)

fool 1
/ (fuːl) /

noun

verb

adjective

informal short for foolish

Word Origin for fool

C13: from Old French fol mad person, from Late Latin follis empty-headed fellow, from Latin: bellows; related to Latin flāre to blow

British Dictionary definitions for fool around (2 of 2)

fool 2
/ (fuːl) /

noun

mainly British a dessert made from a purée of fruit with cream or custard gooseberry fool

Word Origin for fool

C16: perhaps from fool 1

Idioms and Phrases with fool around (1 of 2)

fool around
1

Also, monkey around. Engage in idle or casual activity, putter. For example, Jim loved to fool around with his computer, or She was monkeying around with some figures in hopes of balancing the budget. [Second half of 1800s]

2

Engage in frivolous activity, waste time. For example, Instead of studying, he spends all his spare time fooling around. Also see fool away.

3

Engage in flirting or casual sexual acts; also, engage in adultery. For example, He caught the two teenagers fooling around in the basement. [1830s]

Idioms and Phrases with fool around (2 of 2)

fool