dilly-dally

/ ˌdɪlɪˈdælɪ /

verb

1. informal.
   intr to loiter or vacillate

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilly-dally¹

C17: by reduplication from dally

Example Sentences

Why dilly-dally with teenage angst when you can bring on the Giant Robots, that was my motto.

From The Daily Beast

"I wouldn't dilly-dally long if I were you," said Harkless, and his advice seemed good to the shell-men.

From Project Gutenberg

There will be some real shooting here if you dilly-dally any longer.

From Project Gutenberg

Some foolish fish always dilly-dally up-stream till the ice shuts them in.

From Project Gutenberg

Uncle says he's going express hereafter; he says no more dilly-dally voyages for him.

From Project Gutenberg

He says it was one o' them plans as dilly-dally is death on.

From Project Gutenberg