shilly-shally

[ shil-ee-shal-ee ]

verb (used without object)

, shil·ly-shal·lied, shil·ly-shal·ly·ing.

1. to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate.
2. to waste time; dawdle.

noun

, plural shil·ly-shal·lies.

1. irresolution; indecision; vacillation:

   It was sheer shilly-shally on his part.

adjective

1. irresolute; undecided; vacillating.

adverb

1. irresolutely.

Other Words From

• shilly-shalli·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shilly-shally¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; originally repeated question, shall I? shall I?; later altered on the model of its synonym dilly-dally