dabble at (something)
To do something without much effort or enthusiasm. I know you're just dabbling at cleaning your room because every pile of clothes is still on the floor. We didn't get much done because we just dabbled at the project all afternoon.
dabble in (something)
To do something sporadically or as a hobby. Oh, I only dabbled in painting when I was younger—it's not like I went to art school or anything.
dabble at something
to play at doing something; to do something halfheartedly. Don't just dabble at your history paper. Settle down and do it right. She dabbles at painting.
dabble in something
to be involved in something in a casual manner. She dabbled in local politics for a while. I want to dabble in something new for a while.
dabble in
v. To do some activity occasionally, superficially, or without ambition: I've dabbled in painting, but I'm not very good.