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fiddle
[fid-l]
noun
a musical instrument of the viol family.
violin.
Her aunt plays first fiddle with the state symphony orchestra.
Nautical.a small ledge or barrier raised in heavy weather to keep dishes, pots, utensils, etc., from sliding off tables and stoves.
British Informal.swindle; fraud.
verb (used without object)
to play on the fiddle.
to make trifling or fussing movements with the hands (often followed bywith ).
fiddling with his cuffs.
to touch or manipulate something, as to operate or adjust it; tinker (often followed bywith ).
You may have to fiddle with the antenna to get a clear picture on the TV.
to waste time; trifle; dally (often followed byaround ).
Stop fiddling around and get to work.
British Informal.to cheat.
verb (used with object)
to play (a tune) on a fiddle.
to trifle or waste (usually used withaway ).
to fiddle time away.
Bookbinding.to bind together (sections or leaves of a book) by threading a cord through holes cut lengthwise into the back.
British Informal.
to falsify.
to fiddle the account books.
to cheat.
to fiddle the company out of expense money.
fiddle
/ ˈɪə /
noun
informalany instrument of the viol or violin family, esp the violin
a violin played as a folk instrument
time-wasting or trifling behaviour; nonsense; triviality
nautical a small railing around the top of a table to prevent objects from falling off it in bad weather
informalan illegal or fraudulent transaction or arrangement
informala manually delicate or tricky operation
informalengaged in an illegal or fraudulent undertaking
informala dismal or gloomy facial expression
informalin very good health
informalto be subordinate; play a minor part
verb
to play (a tune) on the fiddle
to make restless or aimless movements with the hands
informalto spend (time) or act in a careless or inconsequential manner; waste (time)
informal(often foll by with) to tamper or interfere (with)
informalto contrive to do (something) by illicit means or deception
he fiddled his way into a position of trust
informal(tr) to falsify (accounts, etc); swindle
fiddle
Another name for the violin; fiddle is the more common term for the instrument as played in folk music and bluegrass.
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of fiddle1
Idioms and Phrases
play second fiddle. second fiddle.
fit as a fiddle, in perfect health; very fit: Also as fit as a fiddle.
The doctor told him he was fit as a fiddle.
fine as a fiddle, fiddle.
Example Sentences
“So if you don’t ever want to win an election again, just go fiddle around with people’s Medicare that they’ve worked hard for, paid into.”
He also struggled with his insecurities about playing second fiddle to his immensely talented wife.
For too long, cheese has played second fiddle in the dessert world.
After the ruling, Rowling sprinted to social media as fast as her thumbs could fiddle.
The central tension in Millet’s work comes from the sense that we’re all doomed: She writes that “stories seemed more and more useless,” and references the old line about fiddling while Rome burns.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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