fudge around with something (to) [exp]

Meaning:

• to try to fix something that does not work correctly.
• to damage something on purpose without letting know the owner or the responsible.

Examples:

1. I’m sure that someone has fudged around with the computer. Yesterday we didn’t have such a problem.
2. Luise, come on please! You are having been fudging around with this electronic board for three hours and you couldn’t fix it. I beg you call an expert to repair it.
3. Are you actually fixing the bike or just fudging around with it?
4. He’s been fudging around with that app all day, but it still doesn’t work.
5. We can’t keep fudging around with the website; we need a professional developer.
6. Instead of fudging around with the budget, let’s get accurate numbers.
7. You can’t just fudge around with the recipe and expect a perfect cake.
8. Stop fudging around with the TV remote and just call tech support.
9. He spent hours fudging around with the car engine but couldn’t fix it.
10. Instead of fudging around with your presentation, finalize the slides.