fiddle

[ fid-l ]

/ ˈfɪd l /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR fiddle ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a musical instrument of the viol family.

violin: Her aunt plays first fiddle with the state symphony orchestra.

Nautical. a small ledge or barrier raised in heavy weather to keep dishes, pots, utensils, etc., from sliding off tables and stoves.

British Informal. swindle; fraud.

verb (used without object), fid·dled, fid·dling.

to play on the fiddle.

to make trifling or fussing movements with the hands (often followed by with): fiddling with his cuffs.

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.

to waste time; trifle; dally (often followed by around): Stop fiddling around and get to work.

British Informal. to cheat.

verb (used with object), fid·dled, fid·dling.

to play (a tune) on a fiddle.

to trifle or waste (usually used with away): to fiddle time away.

Bookbinding. to bind together (sections or leaves of a book) by threading a cord through holes cut lengthwise into the back.

British Informal.

to falsify: to fiddle the account books.
to cheat: to fiddle the company out of expense money.

Idioms for fiddle

fine as a fiddle, South Midland and Southern U.S. fiddle(def 15).

fit as a fiddle, in perfect health; very fit: The doctor told him he was fit as a fiddle. Also as fit as a fiddle.

play second fiddle. second fiddle.

Origin of fiddle

before 1000; Middle English; Old English fithele (cognate with German Fiedel, Dutch vedel, Old High German fidula) probably < Vulgar Latin *vītula (cf. viol, viola¹), perhaps derivative of Latin vītulārī to rejoice

Words nearby fiddle

fictive, ficus, fid, fid., fid. def., fiddle, fiddle back, fiddle bow, fiddle pattern, fiddle while rome burns, fiddle-back

British Dictionary definitions for fit as a fiddle

fiddle

/ (ˈfɪdəl) /

noun

informal any instrument of the viol or violin family, esp the violin

a violin played as a folk instrument

time-wasting or trifling behaviour; nonsense; triviality

nautical a small railing around the top of a table to prevent objects from falling off it in bad weather

British informal an illegal or fraudulent transaction or arrangement

British informal a manually delicate or tricky operation

at the fiddle or on the fiddle informal engaged in an illegal or fraudulent undertaking

face as long as a fiddle informal a dismal or gloomy facial expression

fit as a fiddle informal in very good health

play second fiddle informal to be subordinate; play a minor part

verb

to play (a tune) on the fiddle

(intr often foll by with) to make restless or aimless movements with the hands

(when intr, often foll by about or around) informal to spend (time) or act in a careless or inconsequential manner; waste (time)

(often foll by with) informal to tamper or interfere (with)

informal to contrive to do (something) by illicit means or deception he fiddled his way into a position of trust

(tr) informal to falsify (accounts, etc); swindle

Word Origin for fiddle

Old English fithele, probably from Medieval Latin vītula, from Latin vītulārī to celebrate; compare Old High German fidula fiddle; see viola 1

Cultural definitions for fit as a fiddle

fiddle

Another name for the violin; fiddle is the more common term for the instrument as played in folk music and bluegrass.

Idioms and Phrases with fit as a fiddle (1 of 2)

fit as a fiddle

In excellent form or health. For example, He's not just recovered, he's fit as a fiddle. The original allusion of this simile has been lost. Its survival is probably due to the pleasant sound of its alliteration. [Early 1600s]

Idioms and Phrases with fit as a fiddle (2 of 2)

fiddle

In addition to the idiom beginning with fiddle

fiddle while Rome burns

also see:

fit as a fiddle
hang up (one's fiddle)
play second fiddle

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

fiddle

noun

verb (used without object), fid·dled, fid·dling.

verb (used with object), fid·dled, fid·dling.

Idioms for fiddle

Origin of fiddle

Words nearby fiddle

British Dictionary definitions for fit as a fiddle

noun

verb

Word Origin for fiddle

Cultural definitions for fit as a fiddle

Idioms and Phrases with fit as a fiddle (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with fit as a fiddle (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

fiddle

noun

verb (used without object), fid·dled, fid·dling.

verb (used with object), fid·dled, fid·dling.

Idioms for fiddle

Origin of fiddle

Words nearby fiddle

Words related to fit as a fiddle

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noun

verb

Word Origin for fiddle

Cultural definitions for fit as a fiddle

Idioms and Phrases with fit as a fiddle (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with fit as a fiddle (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for fit as a fiddle