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Glite Dictionary
to act like a bum

to act like a bum

8.6
To behave lazily and avoid work or responsibility
  • idiom
  • Offensive
translation icon : hacerse el vago
  • His parents told him not to act like a bum and to find a job.

Examples

  • She was tired of seeing her brother act like a bum around the house every day.

  • If you act like a bum all summer, you'll never finish your project.

  • Don't act like a bum all day!

  • He always acts like a bum when he's at home.

  • His parents warned him not to act like a bum and to take his responsibilities seriously.

  • If you choose to act like a bum during your break, you will miss out on many opportunities.

  • She feels frustrated whenever she sees her roommate act like a bum instead of seeking a job.

Synonyms

to be a slob
vsto act like a bum
  • Offensive
4 7.9

Act lazy and messy and not care about cleaning or keeping things tidy

is about lazy irresponsibility rather than messiness or untidiness
to bum around
vsto act like a bum
  • Informal
3 7.9

Spend time doing very little or nothing

adds an irresponsible, stereotyped attitude to mere idleness
to sit on one's ass
vsto act like a bum
  • Offensive
2 9.9

To sit and do nothing instead of working

adds irresponsible, stereotyped behaviour beyond simple inaction
to bum about
vsto act like a bum
  • UK
2 8.6

To spend time doing very little and moving around without plans

focuses more on lazy irresponsibility and a stereotyped image than idling
to arse around
vsto act like a bum
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To waste time doing silly or lazy things instead of useful work

leans more toward lazy irresponsibility and a negative personal image
to act like a wasteman
vsto act like a bum
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave foolishly and not take responsibility

focuses on lazy irresponsibility and stereotype rather than foolish insult
to scumming around
vsto act like a bum
  • Offensive
9.9

To spend time doing very little and not do the work you should

is mainly lazy but less morally negative than unscrupulous avoidance

How Lazy

to act like a bum
  • Offensive
8.6
to loaf
7 6.2
to idle
1 3.2
to slack off
  • Informal
3 3.9

Surface Forms

act like a bum infinitive
acted like a bum past
acted like a bum past participle
acting like a bum present participle
acts like a bum third person singular

Morphology

act + like + a + bum

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'act' (to behave) + 'like' (similar to) + 'bum' (an idle person), so a learner who knows the words can infer 'behave in a lazy or irresponsible way.' The construction 'act like X' is a productive, cross-linguistically common pattern, making the expression immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner (noting only that 'bum' carries a derogatory/colloquial nuance).

Etymology

The phrase act like a bum comes from the image of a bum as someone who does not work and often sleeps on the street. So, to 'act like a bum' means to behave lazily or avoid responsibility.