fiddle

American  

[fid-l] / ˈfɪd l /

noun

1. a musical instrument of the viol family.

2. violin.

   Her aunt plays first fiddle with the state symphony orchestra.

3. Nautical.  a small ledge or barrier raised in heavy weather to keep dishes, pots, utensils, etc., from sliding off tables and stoves.

4. British Informal.  swindle; fraud.

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verb (used without object)

fiddled, fiddling

1. to play on the fiddle.

2. to make trifling or fussing movements with the hands (often followed bywith ).

   fiddling with his cuffs.

3. 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.

4. to waste time; trifle; dally (often followed byaround ).

   Stop fiddling around and get to work.

5. British Informal.  to cheat.

verb (used with object)

fiddled, fiddling

1. to play (a tune) on a fiddle.

2. to trifle or waste (usually used withaway ).

   to fiddle time away.

3. Bookbinding.  to bind together (sections or leaves of a book) by threading a cord through holes cut lengthwise into the back.

4. British Informal.

   1. to falsify.

      to fiddle the account books.

   2. to cheat.

      to fiddle the company out of expense money.

idioms

1. play second fiddle.  second fiddle.

2. 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.

3. fine as a fiddle,  fiddle.

fiddle British  

/ ˈfɪdəl /

noun

1. informal  any instrument of the viol or violin family, esp the violin

2. a violin played as a folk instrument

3. time-wasting or trifling behaviour; nonsense; triviality

4. nautical a small railing around the top of a table to prevent objects from falling off it in bad weather

5. informal  an illegal or fraudulent transaction or arrangement

6. informal  a manually delicate or tricky operation

7. informal  engaged in an illegal or fraudulent undertaking

8. informal  a dismal or gloomy facial expression

9. informal  in very good health

10. informal  to be subordinate; play a minor part

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verb

1. to play (a tune) on the fiddle

2. to make restless or aimless movements with the hands

3. informal  to spend (time) or act in a careless or inconsequential manner; waste (time)

4. informal  (often foll by with) to tamper or interfere (with)

5. informal  to contrive to do (something) by illicit means or deception

   he fiddled his way into a position of trust

6. informal  (tr) to falsify (accounts, etc); swindle

fiddle Cultural  

1. Another name for the violin; fiddle is the more common term for the instrument as played in folk music and bluegrass.

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fiddle More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing fiddle

• fit as a fiddle
• hang up (one's fiddle)
• play second fiddle

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Etymology

Origin of fiddle

before 1000; Middle English; Old English fithele (cognate with German Fiedel, Dutch vedel, Old High German fidula ) probably < Vulgar Latin *vītula ( viol, viola ¹ ), perhaps derivative of Latin vītulārī to rejoice

Example Sentences

Users can be incredibly specific with their prompts, and after Suno whips up a made-to-order song, they can continue to fiddle with the results, trying to refine the output until it matches their initial vision.

From The Wall Street Journal

He’s just following the drum rhythm in the fiddle in between verses.’

From Los Angeles Times

Reid’s Merope and Reis’ Antigone, ferocious in their different ways, refuse to play second fiddle to Manville’s Jocasta when it comes to Oedipus’ affections.

From Los Angeles Times

For years, the egg has ruled the breakfast table like a sun god—worshipped, aestheticized, endlessly fiddled with by men in starched aprons and women with ring lights.

From Salon

“Lux Vivens,” produced by David Lynch and featuring Scottish fiddle player Jocelyn Montgomery, must be the first to put a saint’s songs on the popular culture map.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fidget
• fool
• interfere