hanging about

[user_gary]

"Be careful, there are a lots of kids hanging about around here."

Please explain the highlighted group of words in regard to this context.

[Harry Smith]

"Be careful, there are a lots of kids hanging about around here."

Please explain the highlighted group of words in regard to this context.

It means these kids are walking around here without any purpose. They spend more time in the street than at home.

[dilodi83]

I think you can also use "To screw around".

[Anglika]

I think you can also use "To screw around".

Only informally and colloquially. It is not a phrase to use in formal writing.