Fiddle about

usgb
verb

To spend time in a non-productive manner, usually involving small tasks or idle activities.

He spent the whole afternoon fiddling about in his garden.
Visual representation of "fiddle about" - To spend time in a non-productive manner, usually involving small tasks or idle activities

Often appears as...

  • fiddle about with something
  • fiddle about in the garden
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "fiddle about"
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Leisurely Context

Used when describing leisure activities that lack a clear goal or purpose.

Illustration for Leisurely Context
On my day off, I just fiddled about with some old books.
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Time Passing

Implies the passage of time doing trivial tasks rather than something substantial.

Illustration for Time Passing
She fiddled about with her jewelry for hours.
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Not Negative

Although it refers to non-productive time, it's often not used in a negative sense.

Illustration for Not Negative
We fiddled about with the paint samples before deciding.
Visual representation of the word "Fiddle about"

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