mess with

phrase

1
: to deal with (someone) in a way that may cause anger or violence
He's not someone you want to mess with.
2
: to be involved with (someone or something) that may cause problems
I don't have time to mess with all these changes.
3
: to handle something in a careless way
Stop messing with my phone.

Cite this Entry

“Mess with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mess%20with. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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