Wiktionary
(context slang English) The wrong way round; exactly opposite to that which is desirable; contrary; conceptually inverted; wrong. alt. 1 (&lit arse about English) 2 (context 1811 English) To turn round. v
1 (&lit arse about English) 2 (context 1811 English) To turn round.
WordNet
v. be lazy or idle; "Her son is just bumming around all day" [syn: bum, bum around, bum about, arse around, fuck off, loaf, frig around, waste one's time, lounge around, loll, loll around, lounge about]
Usage examples of "arse about".
Anyway, these days its mostly just used to arse about, make little sculptures.
Never fidgeted his hands or scratched his head or shifted his arse about.
And, fairly obviously, at least one of them doesn't give a kiss-my-arse about human life!
Scientists always made such a big deal out of things and did it all arse about face.