Rome

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. Environmentalists claim that the government is fiddling while Rome burns.

See also: fiddle

Rome wasn't built in a day.

something that you say which means that it takes a long time to do an important job. 'Sometimes it feels like we've spent all our lives decorating this house.' 'Well, Rome wasn't built in a day.'

See also: built, day, wasn't

When in Rome (do as the Romans do).

something that you say which means when you are visiting another country, you should behave like the people in that country. I don't drink wine when I'm at home but on holiday, well, when in Rome...