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

Threaded with fiddle, piano and lead vocal by his son Jaime, “Nashville Skyline” is an elegy for Nashville’s rapacious gentrification as well as a love lost to time.

From Los Angeles Times

She turns the engine on and starts fiddling with some of the knobs.

From Literature

Tesla might end up playing second fiddle to another Elon Musk company on its own earnings call.

From MarketWatch

It is true that film music is on every orchestra’s schedule these days — but as second fiddle to a giant projection of a popular movie.

From Los Angeles Times

The ongoing injuries have left Musselman to continue fiddling with his lineup in search of answers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fidget
• fool
• interfere