to fiddle
41
4.7
- verb
- /ˈfɪdəl/
- Informal
:
juguetear con
- She likes to fiddle with the knobs on the stereo until she gets the right sound.
I'm probably just going to get addicted to you know, that kind of like fiddling around thing that you do with pens, like with the cap.
- I'm probably just going to get addicted to you know, that kind of like fiddling around thing that you do with pens, like with the cap.
- I spend more time brushing my teeth than I spend fiddling with my investments.
- Then fiddle with your zippers and pull up your hood.
- But twiddling, fiddling, we don't mind which recursion and bit twiddling is all we need to understand how those pictures were sent.
- That's probably why the reason I have rings because I sit there fiddling them, putting things in my mouth, put on red lipstick and do an impression of Miranda sends.
- You learn by playing around and fiddling with parameters and graphics and see results.
- So the idea that, you know, fiddling around with certain kinds of punitive ways of treating them when they get there will somehow deter them or indeed that Rwanda will.
Examples
-
We don't have any time to fiddle with the lock.
-
OK, so now what we can do is we can fiddle around with this a bit.
-
Well, the next thing we have to do is either fiddle around like mad or look at this.
-
I think you just have to fiddle with it, if you will.
-
So we'll get this set up, we'll fiddle with this a bit.
-
It's just something to fiddle with.
-
Also, you gotta fiddle with that ending.
-
I keep fiddling with it.
-
Just connect the bottom to the top so you can kind of fiddle around with it, add more product where you need it, but that is pretty much it.
-
Bedford frowned, then reached up to fiddle with the knot of his tie.
Fiction book (1991)
Synonyms
111
4.1
To spend time doing playful or unplanned activities
67
5.5
To handle something in a playful, not serious way
47
4.5
To try small changes to fix or improve something
32
3.9
To touch or move something nervously without thinking
26
3.4
To make small nervous movements, often with hands or feet
1
9.3
To touch or change something in a careless and unnecessary way
1
8.6
To play with something in your hands without thinking
To touch or move something lightly with your hands
Antonyms
Idioms
- Informal
8
6.0
A person who has a less important role and helps someone more important
- Archaic
To stop doing an activity, especially to stop playing music for good
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
How Intentional
Surface Forms
Etymology
Fiddle meaning to touch or move something a little comes from the image of fingers turning small parts, like tuning a violin. That's why to 'fiddle' with something often means to handle it in a casual or restless way.