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)

, fid·dled, fid·dling.

1. to play on the fiddle.
2. to make trifling or fussing movements with the hands (often followed by with ):

   fiddling with his cuffs.

3. to touch or manipulate something, as to operate or adjust it; tinker (often followed by with ):

   You may have to fiddle with the antenna to get a clear picture on the TV.

4. to waste time; trifle; dally (often followed by around ):

   Stop fiddling around and get to work.

5. British Informal. to cheat.

verb (used with object)

, fid·dled, fid·dling.

1. to play (a tune) on a fiddle.
2. to trifle or waste (usually used with away ):

   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. at the fiddle or on the fiddle informal.
   engaged in an illegal or fraudulent undertaking
8. face as long as a fiddle informal.
   a dismal or gloomy facial expression
9. fit as a fiddle informal.
   in very good health
10. play second fiddle informal.
    to be subordinate; play a minor part

verb

1. to play (a tune) on the fiddle
2. introften foll bywith to make restless or aimless movements with the hands
3. informal.
   whenintr, often foll by about or around 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. fine as a fiddle, South Midland and Southern U.S. fiddle ( def 15 ).
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. play second fiddle. second fiddle.

More idioms and phrases containing fiddle

In addition to the idiom beginning with fiddle , also see fit as a fiddle ; hang up (one's fiddle) ; play second fiddle .

Example Sentences

Critics argue the richest and most competitive fight in the female code should not be playing second fiddle to the Tyson-Paul carnival.

From BBC

It was around this time that Eddie, who had built his own home studio, started listening to a lot of orchestral music, and began fiddling around with riffs played on his Oberheim OB-xa keyboard.

From Los Angeles Times

Reeves told reporters she was “not going to fiddle the figures or make something to get different results” when asked whether she would consider using the easier debt target.

From BBC

Some see this as a new version of the apocryphal story of Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

From Los Angeles Times

Around the time of his birthday in July, Starr told Fox News he felt “fit as a fiddle” and works out “nearly every day.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fidget
• fool
• interfere