fiddle

[fid-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.

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.

fiddle

/ 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

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

1. Another name for the violin; fiddle is the more common term for the instrument as played in folk music and bluegrass.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiddle¹

Old English fithele , probably from Medieval Latin vītula , from Latin vītulārī to celebrate; compare Old High German fidula fiddle; see _viola ¹

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing fiddle

• fit as a fiddle
• hang up (one's fiddle)
• play second fiddle

Example Sentences

You simply cannot fiddle around with part-time bowlers for 10 overs; nor can you bowl them very late in the innings.

From BBC

There’s a high and lonesome fiddle sounding the alarm, before a gloriously defiant harmony vocal: “I’m a hard headed woman . . . and I don’t owe ya sh*t.”

From Salon

She enjoys baking and once said she would love to learn the fiddle and play country music.

From BBC

Five years ago, long before it granted immunity from criminal prosecution to the president, the court conferred a kind of legal immunity to anyone who wanted to fiddle with the redistricting process.

From Salon

Stone, who seems more interested in fiddling with his sunglasses than discussing grip technique, soon wanders away to climb beneath the bleachers with another little boy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fidget 
• fool 
• interfere