Fiddle about with

usgb
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

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "fiddle about with"
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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.
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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.
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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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