toy around with

[hhtt21]

"Just toy around with the size settings and I'm sure you will get there soon."

Would somebody please explain the part "toy around with" above? I can neither find "toy around" nor "toy around with" in onelook.

https://www.cfd-online.com/Forums/a...umber-divisions-edge-meshing-hard-v-soft.html

Thank you.

 

[hhtt21]

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/toy-with


The 'around' adds an idea of lack of fixed direct/purpose.

Would you please explain the above in a different way? What does "lack of fixed purpose" mean?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

It means the person doesn't have a specific goal or, at least, they don't know the direct/quickest way to get to their goal.

Sarah: What are you doing with my mobile?
Jean: I'm just toying around with it. Sorry. Here you are. Have it back.
Sarah: Thanks.


Dave: What are you doing with your mobile phone?
Peter: Oh, I'm just toying around with the ringtones, trying to find one I like.
Dave: Well, hurry up! I've had enough of listening to them over and over again.


John: I want to change the background photo on my laptop screen. How do I do it?
Jenny: Wow! Don't you even know how to change the wallpaper? I'm fed up with telling you how to do everything. Why don't you toy around with the settings yourself? I'm sure you'll work it out in the end!
John: OK. I'll see how long it takes me to do it!

 

[hhtt21]

Are these also O.K?

1. "Somebody has toy around with retarding system of my car, and now it has broken down, my car is slowing down very slowly."
2. "Somebody has has toy around with my PC, I cannot find my documents in it."
3. "Somebody has toy around with pockets and stolen my money."

Thank you.

 

[andrewg927]

Are these also O.K?

1. "Somebody has toyed around with retarding system (I would use braking system) of my car, and now it is broken, and my car is slowing down very slowly."
2. "Somebody has toyed around with my PC, I cannot find my documents in it."
3. "Somebody has toyed around with pockets and stolen my money." (WRONG)

Thank you.

See above.

 

[GoesStation]

My car's brakes.

 

[emsr2d2]

And if you must use "braking system", it must be preceded by the definite article.

 

[hhtt21]

See above.

Thank you Andrew for your corrections.

I would like to ask questions based on your corrections.

1. Why would native speakers prefer braking system instead of retarding system?

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

1. Why would native speakers prefer braking system instead of retarding system?

We don't use that collocation, except possibly in an isolated engineering environment. The only use of the verb retard in an automotive context relates to adjusting the ignition timing.

 

[hhtt21]

2.

1. "Somebody has toyed around with retarding system (I would use braking system) of my car, and now it is broken, and my car is slowing down very slowly."

Is the verb break or the phrasal verb break down. I have always learnt it as break down to mean something has stop working properly.

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

I wouldn't use broken or broken down when discussing brake systems. It's more natural to describe specific failures: your brakes are squealing; the brake pedal goes to the floor; the brakes are pulling (applying unevenly so you have to apply opposite force to the steering wheel to avoid turning); and so on. If they quit working altogether then your brakes failed.

 

[andrewg927]

The most common use of break down is "my car broke down".

 

[Phaedrus]

I can neither find "toy around" nor "toy around with" in onelook.

In AmE, "toy around with" is generally either "play around with" or just "toy with."