fiddle (redirected from fiddling)

be as fit as a fiddle (British, American & Australian, 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. Environmentalists claim that the government is fiddling while Rome burns.

See also: Rome

play second fiddle

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

See also: play, second

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fiddle away something

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. Don't fiddle with the remote control — you'll break it!

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

mess with something

fuss with something

play second fiddle (to someone/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