footle about

To loaf or loiter aimlessly (around some place); to waste time idly or by doing pointless things. There were such long stretches in the summer when we were kids where we had nothing to do but go outside and footle about all day. I want to go and do exciting things and see remarkable sights while we're in Rome, not just footle about the city center drinking coffee. Grandma was sick of watching us footle about the house, so she sent us out with a list of errands.

footle around

To loaf or loiter aimlessly (in or around some place); to waste time (some place) idly or by doing pointless things. There were such long stretches in the summer when we were kids where we had nothing to do but go outside and footle around all day. I want to go and do exciting things and see remarkable sights while we're in Rome, not just footle around the city center drinking coffee. Grandma was sick of watching us footle around the house, so she sent us out with a list of errands.

footle away (something)

To waste or squander something, especially time, with useless or trivial actions. Instead of footling away the last year on this cockamamie trip of yours, you could have been finishing your degree or starting a proper career! The government continues to footle away resources on these idiotic schemes instead of investing the money and manpower where they're actually needed. You'd be done your taxes by now if you didn't footle away the weekend!