"Mucking" generally refers to the act of cleaning out filth, debris, or waste, often in a farming or stable context. It is used both in oral speech and written form, though it might be more common in certain specialized contexts such as agriculture or animal care.
Frequency of use: Moderate. It’s a colloquial term often used in specific contexts rather than everyday conversation.
"I spent the whole afternoon mucking out the stable."
(Translation: "Eu passei a tarde toda limpando o estábulo.")
"They were mucking around with the old machinery in the barn."
(Translation: "Eles estavam brincando com as velhas máquinas no celeiro.")
"Mucking about in the garden can be quite therapeutic."
(Translation: "Brincar no jardim pode ser bastante terapêutico.")
The term "mucking" often appears in idiomatic expressions relating to messiness or playful behavior, as well as in contexts of work that is seen as unenjoyable.
"Mucking around" - This phrase means to waste time or engage in aimless activity.
Example: "Stop mucking around and help me with this project."
(Translation: "Pare de vagabundear e me ajude com este projeto.")
"Mucking it up" - This expression can mean to make a mistake or to ruin something.
Example: "He really mucked it up when he forgot the main ingredient."
(Translation: "Ele realmente estragou tudo quando esqueceu o ingrediente principal.")
"Mucking out" - Refers to the cleaning of stables or places where animals are kept, as well as metaphorically cleaning up a situation.
Example: "After mucking out the stalls, I felt accomplished."
(Translation: "Depois de limpar os estábulos, me senti realizado.")
"Mucking about with" - Referring to tampering or handling something casually or without seriousness.
Example: "They were mucking about with the settings and messed it up."
(Translation: "Eles estavam brincando com as configurações e estragaram tudo.")
The word "muck" originates from Middle English "mok" (meaning "to clean out"), derived from Old Norse "moka," which means "to scrape, shovel." Over time, "muck" has also come to refer to dirt and filth.