goof
1. verb To make a blunder or mistake. Boy, I really goofed on that math problem. How did I get a negative number as my answer? The roast is awfully dry. I think I goofed by putting it in the oven too soon. Well, clearly, I goofed somewhere in my repair because the pipe is still leaking.
2. verb To use drugs recreationally. I don't think you realize how dangerous it is to goof like you're doing. I really admire Jess for never submitting to the peer pressure of those around her to drink or goof. Sure, I used to goof, once upon a time—but then I went to rehab.
3. verb To lose control of one's body (as by slobbering) due to heroin usage. He's goofing now—how much smack did you give him? A: "Your friend's OK, he's just goofing." B: "You gave him heroin? What were you thinking?" Just let her goof, she'll be fine eventually. If you call for help, we'll all get busted!
4. noun A blunder or mistake. Boy, I really made a goof on that math problem. How did I get a negative number as my answer? Would you just admit you made a goof, so we all can move on? Sorry, that was my goof—I gave you the wrong phone number.
5. noun One who is prone to silly behavior. Hey, you goofs in the back row need to calm down and be quiet! A: "If you're being a goof, I guess I need to assign you more work so you stop disrupting other people." B: "No, no, that's OK!" Billy and Joey are total goofs, so separate them when you make your seating chart.
goof around
To engage in aimless recreation or frivolous time-wasting; to fool around. Quit goofing around and get back to work already! You'd probably have better grades if you didn't goof around so much in class. Instead of working on my taxes, I just goofed around all day. That was a waste.
goof off
1. verb To engage in aimless recreation or frivolous time-wasting; to fool around. Quit goofing off and get to work on your book report already! You'd probably have better grades if you didn't goof off so much in class. Instead of working on my taxes, I just goofed off all day. That was a waste.
2. noun One who is apt to waste time and fool around. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. Hey, you goof-offs in the back row need to calm down and be quiet! A: "If you're being a goof-off, I guess I need to assign you more work so you stop disrupting other people." B: "No, no, that's OK!" Billy and Joey are total goof offs, so separate them when you make your seating chart.
goof on (someone or something)
To mock or tease someone or make fun of something. Sarah's a very sensitive kid, so don't goof on her. My annoying older brother always finds some reason to goof on me. I didn't join in as the other kids goofed on Mark's new haircut—I thought they were being awfully mean.
goof up
1. To bungle something or make a mistake. Boy, I really goofed up that math problem. How did I get a negative number as my answer? The roast is awfully dry. I think I goofed up by putting it in the oven too soon. Well, clearly, I goofed up somewhere in my repair because the pipe is still leaking.
2. To cause someone to bungle something or make a mistake. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "goof" and "up." There was a mistake in her notes that really goofed me up and caused me to get a negative number as my answer. I was trying to build a house of cards when the sudden sound of a car alarm goofed me up. I lost my footing on the jump, that's what goofed me up.
goofball
slang
1. Someone prone to behaving in a silly manner. Jimmy's such a goofball—of course he's the class clown. Good luck getting these goofballs to calm down and listen to you! Every teacher has to deal with disruptive goofballs eventually.
2. Someone deemed stupid and silly. I wouldn't trust that goofball with such an important task. Can you believe that goofball is still pushing the door marked "pull"? Yeah, he's a linebacker for the football team, but he's no goofball—he's at the top of his class academically.
3. A pill with a tranquilizing effect (often because it contains barbiturates), taken recreationally. Tad took a goofball last night and passed out, man. Goofballs are dangerous, man—I'd stay away from them. The police officer discovered that the driver was whacked out on goofballs.
goof-proof
1. verb To make something difficult to ruin or spoil. With all the mishaps so far, I see that you guys didn't exactly goof-proof this plan, huh? A: "I'm determined to goof-proof my wedding day." B: "OK, but is that actually possible, though?" Hey, can you help me goof-proof tomorrow's itinerary?
2. adjective Describing something that has been made difficult to ruin or spoil. With all the mishaps so far, I see that your brilliant plan isn't exactly goof-proof, huh? I need a goof-proof recipe because I'm cooking for Jim's parents tonight! Here's my goof-proof list of activities that will keep the kids entertained on a rainy day.
3. adjective Describing something that is difficult to misuse or make a mistake with. Clear nail polish is goof-proof—I don't trust myself to paint my own nails with anything else! If you're nervous about filling out that questionnaire, just use an erasable pen—they're goof-proof. No, I'm telling you, this foundation is goof-proof—after you apply it, it adjusts to your unique skin tone.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
goof around
to act silly. The kids were all goofing around, waiting for the bus. Stop goofing around!
goof off
to waste time. John is always goofing off. Quit goofing off and get to work!
goof on someone
Inf. to tease or kid someone. I don't believe you. I think you're just goofing on me.
goof someone or something up
Inf. to mess someone or something up; to ruin someone's plans; to make something nonfunctional. Who goofed this machine up? Who goofed up the machine?
goof up (on something)
Inf. to make an error with something; to blunder while doing something. Please don't goof up on this job. If you goof up one more time, you're finished.
goofed (up)
1. Inf. messed up; out of order. All my papers are goofed up. Everything on my desk is goofed. Who's been here?
2. Inf. confused; distraught. I'm sort of goofed up today. I think I'm coming down with something. I was up too late last night, and now I'm all goofed up.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
goof
(guf)1. n. a foolish oaf; a goofy person. Don’t be a goof. Get with it.
2. in. to use heroin or some other addictive drugs without intending to become addicted; to play around (with heroin). (Drugs.) Gert spent the first few years just goofing.
3. in. to scratch, nod, and slobber after an injection of heroin. (Drugs.) She has been goofing for an hour.
4. and goof up in. to make a blunder. This time, you goofed. I’m afraid I goofed up.
5. n. a blunder; an error. This goof is yours, not mine.
goof up
verbgoof off
1. and goof around in. to waste time. You guys are goofing off again! Get busy. Stop goofing around.
2. n. a time-waster; a jerk. (Usually goof-off.) I’m no goof-off, but I am no scholar either.
goof around
verbgoof on someone
in. to play a prank on someone; to involve someone in a deception. Hey, don’t goof on me. I’m your buddy!
goof something up
tv. to mess something up. I hope I don’t goof up the report again.
goofball
1. and goofer n. a stupid person; a fool. You are such a silly goofball. What a clumsy goofer!
2. n. a barbiturate tablet. (Drugs.) How many goofballs did you take to get like this?
goofed (up)
1. mod. messed up; out of order. All my papers are goofed up.
2. mod. confused; distraught. I was up too late last night, and now I’m all goofed up.
3. mod. high on drugs. Bob’s a little goofed up after partying too much.
goofed
verbgoof-proof
1. mod. foolproof; not subject to misuse. This scheme is not goof-proof, but it’s pretty sound.
2. tv. to make something foolproof; to take action to see that something cannot be misused. See if this can be goof-proofed by Monday evening.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.