fiddle while Rome burns

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, fiddle, Rome

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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, fiddle, Rome