mess with (something)

1. to take apart or fix something complicated esp. in order to learn more about how it works.

I enjoy messing with computers the way some folks get pleasure from rebuilding old cars.

2. to change something in a way that is likely to cause harm.

Crime really messes with the quality of life in a community.

Don't mess with funding for education programs that have a direct impact on student learning.

3. to become involved with something dangerous.

He admitted that he had messed with drugs as a teen.

You wouldn't want to mess with a truckload of mail that might be contaminated.

Related vocabulary: fool with something, fiddle with something, fuss with something

• do something with one hand tied behind back
• do something with one hand tied behind your back
• do something with your eyes closed
• do stuff
• dote on
• dote on someone
• dote on something
• do the business
• do the dirty on
• do the dirty on someone
• do the dirty work
• do the honors
• do the honours
• do the job
• do the rounds
• do the running
• do the trick
• do the unthinkable
• do the world of good
• do things by halves
• do time
• dot i's and cross the t's
• dot i's and cross t's
• dot i's and cross your t's
• dot the i's and cross the t's