Fool with
Fool with verb - To handle thoughtlessly, ignorantly, or mischievously.
Usage example: not a good idea to fool with power tools before you've read the manual
Both terms in one sentence
- The line "You can fool with your brother, But don't mess with a missionary man" in the chorus of the Eurythmics song "Missionary Man" implies that the singer has at least had thoughts in that direction, whether or not she's actually done anything.
Source: Brother Sister Incest / Music
Cite this Source
Mess and Fool with. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/fool_with/mess
Fool with & Mess. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/fool_with/mess>.
Mess or Fool with. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/fool_with/mess.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "fool with" and "mess" have occurred on timeline