dillydally

[dil-ee-dal-ee, -dal-]

verb (used without object)

dillydallied, dillydallying 

1. to waste time, especially by indecision; vacillate; trifle; loiter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dillydally¹

First recorded in 1735–45; gradational reduplication of dally

Example Sentences

All three airlines I contacted delayed, obfuscated or otherwise dillydallied before getting me answers, but let’s start with your travel agent, American Express.

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Put one in airplanes to get dillydallying passengers into their seats.

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Now, a new session of Parliament is set to open on Monday — more than two months after the election, a period opposition parties have complained has been unnecessary dillydallying.

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“The machinations of the U.S. Supreme Court should not be a reason for dillydallying” by any nations that have signed the U.N.

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“Unfortunately,” she said of the Biden administration, “they dillydallied so long.”

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