Be on the fiddle
verb
To act dishonestly to get money or things for oneself, often in an illegal way.
Many employees were on the fiddle, charging the company for personal expenses.
Often appears as...
- caught on the fiddle
- be on the fiddle
Usage tips
Colloquial, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To act dishonestly to get money or things for oneself, often in an illegal way.
Many employees were on the fiddle, charging the company for personal expenses.
Often appears as...
- caught on the fiddle
- be on the fiddle
Usage tips
Colloquial, Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3British Origin
This phrase is more common in British English than American English, so it's useful to know if you're speaking with Brits.
When I worked in London, I heard a coworker say another was on the fiddle.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
The phrase has a negative tone and implies disapproval, so use it in contexts where dishonesty is frowned upon.
He bought a car that turned out to be on the fiddle - it was stolen!
Pro Tip 3/3Informal
It's an informal idiom, so it's best used in casual conversation, not in formal writing like business or academic papers.
I wouldn't trust her, she’s known to be on the fiddle.
Pro Tip 1/3British Origin
This phrase is more common in British English than American English, so it's useful to know if you're speaking with Brits.
When I worked in London, I heard a coworker say another was on the fiddle.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
The phrase has a negative tone and implies disapproval, so use it in contexts where dishonesty is frowned upon.
He bought a car that turned out to be on the fiddle - it was stolen!
Pro Tip 3/3Informal
It's an informal idiom, so it's best used in casual conversation, not in formal writing like business or academic papers.
I wouldn't trust her, she’s known to be on the fiddle.
Pro Tip 1/3British Origin
This phrase is more common in British English than American English, so it's useful to know if you're speaking with Brits.
When I worked in London, I heard a coworker say another was on the fiddle.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
The phrase has a negative tone and implies disapproval, so use it in contexts where dishonesty is frowned upon.
He bought a car that turned out to be on the fiddle - it was stolen!
Pro Tip 3/3Informal
It's an informal idiom, so it's best used in casual conversation, not in formal writing like business or academic papers.
I wouldn't trust her, she’s known to be on the fiddle.
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