fiddlestick
Americannoun
noun
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informal a violin bow
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any meaningless or inconsequential thing; trifle
-
an expression of annoyance or disagreement
Etymology
Origin of fiddlestick
First recorded in 1400–50, fiddlestick is from the late Middle English word fidillstyk. See fiddle, stick 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Donald Trump is tweeting loudly and carrying fiddlesticks. The level of damage is not as much as one might have thought given all the tweeting and speeches.”
From Los Angeles Times
To those who say that’s just impractical, that Hadi’s being politically pragmatic in strengthening his own position before taking on the remnants of the old regime, Karman says, in effect, fiddlesticks.
From Time
"A hundred and twenty fiddlesticks," the major said.
From Project Gutenberg
"To regenerate the fiddlestick!" his opponent answered, with equal heat.
From Project Gutenberg
I declare, said my uncle Toby, smit with pity, I know of none; unless it be the pleasure which it has pleased God—— A fiddlestick! quoth she.
From Project Gutenberg
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.