Search results for 'fiddle':

fiddle noun 1 a a violin, especially when used to play folk music or jazz; b colloq, often disparaging any violin. 2 colloq a dishonest arrangement; a fraud. 3 a raised rim round a table to keep dishes from sliding off it. 4 a manually delicate or tricky operation. verb (fiddled, fiddling) 1 intrans (often fiddle with something) to play about aimlessly with it; to tinker, toy or meddle with it • He was fiddling all the time • She was always fiddling with her hair. 2 tr & intr to falsify (accounts, etc); to manage or manipulate dishonestly • to fiddle the cash till. 3 tr & intr to play a violin or fiddle; to play (a tune) on one. as fit as a fiddle in excellent health. fiddle while Rome burns to be preoccupied with trifles in a crisis. on the fiddle colloq making money dishonestly • He was always on the fiddle. play second fiddle to someone to be subordinate to them.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon fithele; compare viol.

fiddle noun 1 a a violin, especially when used to play folk music or jazz; b colloq, often disparaging any violin. 2 colloq a dishonest arrangement; a fraud. 3 a raised rim round a table to keep dishes from sliding off it. 4 a manually delicate or tricky operation. verb (fiddled, fiddling) 1 intrans (often fiddle with something) to play about aimlessly with it; to tinker, toy or meddle with it • He was fiddling all the time • She was always fiddling with her hair. 2 tr & intr to falsify (accounts, etc); to manage or manipulate dishonestly • to fiddle the cash till. 3 tr & intr to play a violin or fiddle; to play (a tune) on one. as fit as a fiddle in excellent health. fiddle while Rome burns to be preoccupied with trifles in a crisis. on the fiddle colloq making money dishonestly • He was always on the fiddle. play second fiddle to someone to be subordinate to them.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon fithele; compare viol.

fiddle noun 1 a a violin, especially when used to play folk music or jazz; b colloq, often disparaging any violin. 2 colloq a dishonest arrangement; a fraud. 3 a raised rim round a table to keep dishes from sliding off it. 4 a manually delicate or tricky operation. verb (fiddled, fiddling) 1 intrans (often fiddle with something) to play about aimlessly with it; to tinker, toy or meddle with it • He was fiddling all the time • She was always fiddling with her hair. 2 tr & intr to falsify (accounts, etc); to manage or manipulate dishonestly • to fiddle the cash till. 3 tr & intr to play a violin or fiddle; to play (a tune) on one. as fit as a fiddle in excellent health. fiddle while Rome burns to be preoccupied with trifles in a crisis. on the fiddle colloq making money dishonestly • He was always on the fiddle. play second fiddle to someone to be subordinate to them.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon fithele; compare viol.