Sekirov Dictionary

fiddle

UK /ˈfɪd(ə)l/US /ˈfɪdl̩/

noun 16
verb 5
exclamation 1
forms 4
phrases 8

noun16

•
A violin, a small unfretted stringed instrument with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) G-D-A-E, usually held against the chin, shoulder, chest or on the upper thigh and played with a bow (see also usage notes below).
- When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like that, it's a violin.
•
(nonstandard) Any of various other bowed stringed instruments, particularly those of the violin family when played non-classically.
- The fiddle of these early times, however, was the viol and not our modern violin. — 1864
•
(informal, figurative) A scam; a fraud or swindle.
- There was some kind of fiddle going on at that company, and several of the directors were arrested.
(informal, figurative) An act of tinkering, playing around, or fidgeting with something.
•
(informal, figurative) A workaround; a quick and less than perfect solution for some flaw or problem.
- That parameter setting is just a fiddle to make the lighting look right.
•
A violinist, or fiddler, in a band.
- He is first fiddle in the band.
Unskillful or unartful behavior, particularly when showy and superficially pleasing.
Any rail or device that prevents items from sliding off a table, stove, etc. in rough water.
Something resembling a violin, or fiddle, in shape
A dock (Rumex pulcher) with leaves supposed to resemble the musical instrument.
A long pole pulled by a draft animal to drag loose straw, hay, etc.
A rack for drying pottery after glazing.
•
(figurative) A clown; an unserious person entertaining a group.
- You would not have your Son the Fiddle to every jovial Company. — 1693
•
(slang, no longer used) A trifling amount.
- Done at a fiddle.
(slang, no longer used) An arrest warrant.
(slang, no longer used) A watchman's rattle.

verb5

•
To play the fiddle or violin, particularly in a folk or country style.
- to fiddle while Rome burns
•
To fidget or play; to fuss; to idly amuse oneself, to act aimlessly, idly, or frivolously, particularly out of nervousness or restlessness; see also fiddle with.
- Sit up straight and stop fiddling!
•
(informal) To fraudulently manipulate (records, accounts, etc.) in order to cheat or swindle.
- Fred was sacked when the auditors caught him fiddling the books.
•
(informal) Synonym of tinker (“to make small adjustments or improvements”); see also fiddle with.
- I don't exactly know how to fix this lawnmower; I'm really just fiddling.
(slang, no longer used) To do odd jobs for money.

exclamation1

•
(informal, euphemistic) Synonym of fiddlesticks or euphemism for fuck.
- Oh, fiddle. I left my whip in the stable.

forms

fiddled · fiddling · fiddles · fiddleth

Phrases with fiddle

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