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 informal.
   at the fiddleon the fiddle engaged in an illegal or fraudulent undertaking
8. face as long as a fiddle informal.
   face as long as a fiddle a dismal or gloomy facial expression
9. fit as a fiddle informal.
   fit as a fiddle in very good health
10. play second fiddle informal.
    play second fiddle 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

While aroids, lilies, and Sago palms are dangerous for cats and dogs, other popular plants, including ficuses like the fiddle leaf fig and euphorbs like the poinsettia can be irritating, albeit not deadly, too.

From Popular-Science

Bill had planned to release songs Eva recorded with a fiddle player and that had a western swing feel.

From Washington Post

On Wall Street, Bank of America plays a perpetual second fiddle to JPMorgan Chase Co., the only U.S. bank that holds more assets.

From The Daily Beast

"He looked at it and he started to fiddle with the cable," Mrs. Perez told The Telegraph.

From The Daily Beast

Willie Polk played the fiddle and another boy, call him Shoefus, played the guitar, like I did.

From The Daily Beast

His dad, an electrical engineer, was always bringing home technology that the young Sapan would fiddle with.

From The Daily Beast

There the lingua franca is Cajun French, and folks love to fiddle, dance and most of all, eat.

From The Daily Beast

Then he clapped his fiddle under his chin and without more ado struck up "Bobbing Joan."

From Project Gutenberg

Their jurisdictions overlapped and the Gascon would play second fiddle to no one save to his great brother-in-law.

From Project Gutenberg

A view of the duchess's ball-room, or of the dining-table of the earl, will supersede all occasion for lengthy fiddle-faddle.

From Project Gutenberg

Fiddle-cases seem to have been used almost solely for travelling purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

Then you'll concide that you are there but you oughtn't to be, and kind of slide out without your hat and forget your fiddle.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fidget
• fool
• interfere