fiddle while Rome burns

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To do something trivial and irresponsible in the midst of an emergency; legend has it that while a fire destroyed the city of Rome, the emperor Nero played his violin, thus revealing his total lack of concern for his people and his empire.

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Words nearby fiddle while Rome burns

fiddler beetle, fiddler crab, fiddlerfish, fiddlestick, fiddlesticks, fiddle while Rome burns, fiddlewood, fiddling, fiddly, FIDE, fideicommissary

How to use fiddle while Rome burns in a sentence

ROME — What does it take for a Hollywood A-lister to get a private audience with Pope Francis?
Pope Francis Has the Pleasure of Meeting Angelina Jolie for a Few Seconds|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His books include Render unto Rome and a novel about Louisiana politics, Last of the Red Hot Poppas.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Then he came to Rome last week with the flowers in his hand.
Pope-Shooter Ali Agca’s Very Weird Vatican Visit|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Rome, he writes, the chicken “predicted the outcome of battles.”
The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity|William O’Connor|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The pontiff blasts the selfishness, arrogance and detachment of the cardinals in Rome.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After all, may not even John Burns be human; may not Mr. Chamberlain himself have a heart that can feel for another?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Claude de Vert died; he devoted much attention to the ceremonies of the church of Rome, of which he wrote a history.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The collection in the Academy I thought much better, but still far enough behind similar galleries in Rome.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Insurrectionary movements at Rome in consequence of the pope's refusal to declare war against Austria.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
I do not think such pictures as abound in Rome could have been painted where the women were common-place and unideal.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley

Other Idioms and Phrases with fiddle while Rome burns

fiddle while Rome burns

Occupy oneself with unimportant matters and neglect important ones during a crisis. For example, The account was falling through, but he was more worried about missing his golf game—talk about fiddling while Rome burns! This expression alludes to the legend that the Emperor Nero played his fiddle while watching the conflagration of Rome. [Mid-1600s]