fiddle (redirected from Fiddling while Rome burns)

*fit as a fiddle

Cliché in very good health. (*Also: as ~.) You may feel sick now, but after a few days of rest and plenty of liquids, you'll be fit as a fiddle. Grandson: Are you sure you'll be able to climb all these stairs? Grandmother: Of course! I feel as fit as a fiddle today.

See also: fit

couldn't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle

Rur. unable to aim; very clumsy. (Jocular. Use with caution.) Tom: Is Jane a good shot? Charlie: She couldn't hit a bull in the ass with a bass fiddle.

See also: ass, bull, couldn't, hit

fiddle something away

to waste something. She fiddled the afternoon away. Don't fiddle away the afternoon. Get to work.

See also: away

fiddle around (with something) and fiddle about (with something)

to play with something; to tinker with something ineptly. My brother is outside fiddling around with his car engine. He should stop fiddling around and go out and get a job.

See also: around

fiddle while Rome burns

Fig. to do nothing or something trivial while knowing that something disastrous is happening. (From a legend that the Roman emperor Nero played the lyre while Rome was burning.) The lobbyists don't seem to be doing anything to stop this tax bill. They're fiddling while Rome burns.

See also: Burns, Rome

fiddle with someone or something

to tinker or play with someone or something. Please don't fiddle with the stereo controls. Leave your brother alone. Don't fiddle with him. He's cranky.

have more than one string to one's fiddle

Rur. to have many talents. Joe has more than one string to his fiddle. He's a good painter, and he also cooks and fixes cars. This job involves a lot of different duties. We'll need to hire someone who has more than one string to his fiddle.

See also: have, more, one, string

play second fiddle (to someone)

Fig. to be in a subordinate position to someone. I'm tired of playing second fiddle to John. I'm better trained than he, and I have more experience. I shouldn't always play second fiddle.

See also: play, second

There's many a good tune played on an old fiddle.

Prov. Old people can be very capable. Just because Nigel is old doesn't mean he's useless. There's many a good tune played on an old fiddle.

See also: good, many, old, play, tune

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be as fit as a fiddle  (British, American & Australian) also be as fit as a flea (British & Australian)

to be very healthy My Dad's nearly eighty now but he's as fit as a fiddle.

See also: fit

be on the fiddle  (British & Australian informal)

to get money in a way that is not honest or not legal If he's not on the fiddle, how did he afford that huge car?

fiddle while Rome burns

to spend time enjoying yourself or doing things that are not important when you should be dealing with a serious problem

Usage notes: This phrase comes from a story about the Roman emperor Nero, who fiddled (= played the violin) while the city of Rome was burning.

Environmentalists claim that the government is fiddling while Rome burns.

See also: Burns, Rome

play second fiddle

if you play second fiddle to someone, they are in a stronger position or are more important than you (usually + to ) You'll have to choose between your wife and me. I won't play second fiddle to anyone.

See also: play, second

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fiddle away something also fiddle something away

to waste time doing nothing in particular Billy fiddles away hours on end arranging his model cars.

See also: away

fiddle with something

1. to be busy with something without a special purpose fool with something Don't fiddle with the remote control - you'll break it!

2. to try to fix or use something complicated fool with something The report says that computer users spend about one-third of their time fiddling with the operating system and organizing files.

Related vocabulary: fuss with something

play second fiddle (to somebody/something)

to be in a less important position than someone or something else Radio has been playing second fiddle to television for decades now.

Usage notes: sometimes used without play

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of second fiddle (the lower part for a violin, a musical instrument with strings)

See also: play, second