to shillyshally
- verb
- /ˈʃɪliˌʃæli/
- Informal
:
vacilar
- Stop shillyshallying and just sign the contract already!
Examples
-
If you keep shillyshallying, you might lose the opportunity.
-
He tends to shillyshally when it comes to making important decisions.
-
All this shillyshallying around, I'd make a better MP myself.
Synonyms
318
2.5
To pause before saying or doing something because you feel unsure
166
4.3
To delay doing something on purpose to get more time
52
5.7
To show doubt when making a decision
26
6.5
To delay doing something you should do because you avoid it
15
8.3
To delay giving a clear answer or making a choice
8
7.7
To act nervously and be unable to decide quickly
5
7.9
To waste time by delaying when you should act
4
7.7
To waste time by moving or acting slowly
3
6.6
To feel unsure about making a decision or taking action
1
8.3
To waste time by being slow or unsure about what to do
1
9.9
To hesitate before making a decision
1
7.9
To hesitate before deciding, often about small things
To be unsure and not decide
To be slow on purpose because you do not want to do something
To delay doing something because you do not want to do it
Antonyms
How Hesitant
26
6.5
8
8.1
8
7.7
- Informal
318
2.5
346
1.0
Surface Forms
Etymology
Shillyshally probably comes from repeating the question 'shall I?', with the two parts shilly and shally sounding like someone asking 'shall I? shall I?'. So to shillyshally is to hesitate or delay instead of taking action.