Fiddle about with

verb

To make unimportant changes or adjustments to something, often as a way of wasting time or delaying work.

She's always fiddling about with her hair when she should be studying.
Visual representation of "fiddle about with" - To make unimportant changes or adjustments to something, often as a way of wasting time or delaying work.

Often appears as...

  • fiddle about with clothes
  • fiddle about with hair

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

verb

To try to fix or improve something without a concrete plan or understanding of how it works.

He spent hours fiddling about with the engine, but he couldn't get the car to start.
Visual representation of "fiddle about with" - To try to fix or improve something without a concrete plan or understanding of how it works.

Often appears as...

  • fiddle about with engine
  • fiddle about with computer

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

verb

To make unimportant changes or adjustments to something, often as a way of wasting time or delaying work.

She's always fiddling about with her hair when she should be studying.
Visual representation of "fiddle about with" - To make unimportant changes or adjustments to something, often as a way of wasting time or delaying work.

Often appears as...

  • fiddle about with clothes
  • fiddle about with hair

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

verb

To try to fix or improve something without a concrete plan or understanding of how it works.

He spent hours fiddling about with the engine, but he couldn't get the car to start.
Visual representation of "fiddle about with" - To try to fix or improve something without a concrete plan or understanding of how it works.

Often appears as...

  • fiddle about with engine
  • fiddle about with computer

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "fiddle about with"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Informal Speech

Used in casual conversations, not in formal or professional settings.

Illustration for Informal Speech
While waiting for their turn, they fiddled about with their phones.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Procrastination

Indicates putting off important tasks by doing trivial activities instead.

Illustration for Procrastination
Jake fiddled about with his pen instead of writing his essay.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Time-Wasting

Suggests an unproductive use of time that could be spent more wisely.

Illustration for Time-Wasting
She fiddled about with her notes but learned nothing new.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Informal Speech

Used in casual conversations, not in formal or professional settings.

Illustration for Informal Speech
While waiting for their turn, they fiddled about with their phones.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Procrastination

Indicates putting off important tasks by doing trivial activities instead.

Illustration for Procrastination
Jake fiddled about with his pen instead of writing his essay.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Time-Wasting

Suggests an unproductive use of time that could be spent more wisely.

Illustration for Time-Wasting
She fiddled about with her notes but learned nothing new.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Informal Speech

Used in casual conversations, not in formal or professional settings.

Illustration for Informal Speech
While waiting for their turn, they fiddled about with their phones.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Procrastination

Indicates putting off important tasks by doing trivial activities instead.

Illustration for Procrastination
Jake fiddled about with his pen instead of writing his essay.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Time-Wasting

Suggests an unproductive use of time that could be spent more wisely.

Illustration for Time-Wasting
She fiddled about with her notes but learned nothing new.
Visual representation of the word "Fiddle about with"

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