hack about

verb2

1. •
   (UK) To disfigure or damage by hacking; to cover with cuts.

   • It’s true that they have occasionally damaged the rare shrubs by hacking them about—they come through here trying to get a short cut to the Ferry across the river. — 1956
2. •
   (UK, informal) To be idle; to waste time; to socialize.

   • “So Madam has taken Miss amongst the Parlez-vous! By Jove, if she had been my wife, she should have trained the filly at home. She’ll run none the better for all this hacking about.” — 1829