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fool2
1 [transitive] to trick someone into believing something that is not true : 
Even art experts were fooled.
Even art experts were fooled.2 to try to make yourself believe something that you know is not really true : It's no good fooling yourself. He's not coming back.
fool yourself
It's no good fooling yourself. He's not coming back.3 used to show that you do not believe what someone has told you : 'Look, we're doing our best to fix it.' 'Well, you could have fooled me.'
you could have fooled me
spoken'Look, we're doing our best to fix it.' 'Well, you could have fooled me.'4 used to say that someone is not serious and is only pretending that something is true [= somebody is just kidding]: Don't pay any attention to Henry. He's just fooling.
somebody is just fooling
spokenDon't pay any attention to Henry. He's just fooling.fool around
phrasal verb1 to waste time behaving in a silly way or doing things that are not important [= mess around]: He always used to fool around in class.
He always used to fool around in class.2 to behave in a way which is careless and not responsible [= mess around]
3 American English to spend time doing something that you enjoy, but that does not have a particular purpose [= mess around]: The boys were out in the yard, just fooling around.
The boys were out in the yard, just fooling around.4 to have a sexual relationship with someone else's wife, boyfriend etc [= mess around]: She found out that he'd been fooling around behind her back.
She found out that he'd been fooling around behind her back.fool with something
phrasal verb1 to touch or play with something, especially when you should not [= mess with something]: Who's been fooling with the radio dial?
Who's been fooling with the radio dial?2 to become involved in something which could cause damage or be dangerous [= mess with something]
