dally
verb (used without object)
to waste time; loiter; delay.
were dallying
-
past progressiveof dally.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Ball watching, Mr. Watson had not sensed the reluctance of his partner to move, so that as Jonathan Trott picked up the ball at square-leg, both openers were dallying mid-pitch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 3, 2010
In another part of the Palace of Westminster they were dallying overlong with a ceremony of quaint historic significance.
From Time Magazine Archive
While others in Washington were dallying, Johnson wrote a prophetic memo to President Kennedy, declaring that the U.S. either had to "make a major effort" in the region or "throw in the towel."
From Time Magazine Archive
You were dallying there in the park, in a way to attract attention, with a headstrong, silly girl that you ought to have protected from that sort of thing.
From A Hoosier Chronicle by F. C. (Frederick Coffay) Yohn
Waitresses were dallying about, but he did not see the girl with the cords of fluffy hair.
From The She Boss A Western Story by Arthur Preston Hankins
