shilly-shally

[ shil-ee-shal-ee ]

verb (used without object)

, shil·ly-shal·lied, shil·ly-shal·ly·ing.

1. to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate.
2. to waste time; dawdle.

noun

, plural shil·ly-shal·lies.

1. irresolution; indecision; vacillation:

   It was sheer shilly-shally on his part.

adjective

1. irresolute; undecided; vacillating.

adverb

1. irresolutely.

Other Words From

• shilly-shalli·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shilly-shally¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; originally repeated question, shall I? shall I?; later altered on the model of its synonym dilly-dally

Example Sentences

Strange that people will have so much faith in shilly-shally!

From Project Gutenberg

"I have little experience of shilly-shally methods," replied his visitor.

From Project Gutenberg

I hear the shilly-shally policy of the English Government bitterly condemned.

From Project Gutenberg

I had rather be sent home to fight manfully, or to make peace politically, than to be in this miserable shilly-shally way here.

From Project Gutenberg

What keeps the simple man dallying shilly-shally at the fence, as if he actually wanted them to take him?

From Project Gutenberg