shilly-shally

American  

[shil-ee-shal-ee] / ˈʃɪl iˌʃæl i /

verb (used without object)

shilly-shallied, shilly-shallying

1. to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate.

2. to waste time; dawdle.

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noun

plural

shilly-shallies

1. irresolution; indecision; vacillation.

   It was sheer shilly-shally on his part.

adjective

1. irresolute; undecided; vacillating.

adverb

1. irresolutely.

Other Word Forms

• shilly-shallier noun

Etymology

Origin of shilly-shally

First recorded in 1690–1700; originally repeated question, shall I? shall I?; later altered on the model of its synonym dilly-dally

Example Sentences

I have no fear of wounding you; a love which can shilly-shally as you have done is not worth the having—is not capable of being hurt.

From Project Gutenberg

We are all acquainted with persons who invariably agree with all sides, and shilly-shally in a corresponding manner in their action, accomplishing little or no positive good in any direction, though often positive evil.

From Project Gutenberg

No, the time is come when we must not shilly-shally.

From Project Gutenberg

As matters stood, to drag her thence by violence would never do, for shilly-shally Clovis would turn restive.

From Project Gutenberg

Clovis, the shilly-shally, must henceforth be excluded from a hand in the management of affairs.

From Project Gutenberg