dilly-dally

/ (ˌdɪlɪˈdælɪ) /

(intr) informal to loiter or vacillate

Word Origin for dilly-dally

C17: by reduplication from dally

Why dilly-dally with teenage angst when you can bring on the Giant Robots, that was my motto.

The Great Summer Read Is Here |Jane Ciabattari |February 19, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
There will be some real shooting here if you dilly-dally any longer.

The Pony Rider Boys on the Blue Ridge |Frank Gee Patchin
He sed it was jest this dilly-dally policy that had ruined us.

Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia |Seba Smith
He says it was one o' them plans as dilly-dally is death on.

Susan Clegg and Her Neighbors' Affairs |Anne Warner

Spain continued to dilly-dally and evade the question of her responsibility.

Cuba |Arthur D. Hall
It also means, to trifle, to dilly-dally, to go round about a subject.

The Proverbs of Scotland |Alexander Hislop