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Glite Dictionary
to waffle on

to waffle on

3 9.0
To keep changing your mind and not give a clear answer
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈwɔfəl ɑn/
  • Informal
translation icon : vacilar
  • The politician continued to waffle on the proposed bill, failing to take a clear stance.
  • waffled on issues
  • waffled on the question

And the fact that you're waffling on who to vote for.

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Examples

  • If the big guy waffles on foreign affairs again, maybe it's time for him to stay on the porch and watch how the big dogs take care of business!

    Blog text (28)

  • Ryan waffled on the question of whether or not Israel was America's most dependable ally in the Middle East.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • I, I, I, I, I can almost see myself just having spent the next year waffling on that decision.

  • Can you, like, believe how he waffles on every issue?

    Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! (1978)

  • Any candidate who waffles on this issue should not be supported.

    Blog text (30)

  • Craig James waffles on his decision to join your fantasy league until the last minute before saying "yes."

    Blog text (14)

  • Calhoun says he has waffled on his decision on whether to return for months.

    Blog text (19)

  • I've been waffling on this myself, and I'm not quite sure where I stand.

    Blog text (3)

  • That reduces the chance that future GOP nominees will waffle on these issues, as some past ones have.

    Blog text (5)

  • Anyways, I've waffled on for ages now and really must get on with my chores...

    Blog text (17)

Synonyms

to waver
vsto waffle on
52 5.7

To show doubt when making a decision

is more about speaking vaguely to avoid giving a clear statement
to waffle
vsto waffle on
15 8.3

To delay giving a clear answer or making a choice

is more about speaking vaguely to avoid giving a clear answer
to dither
vsto waffle on
8 7.7

To act nervously and be unable to decide quickly

is more about evasive speech and avoiding clear statements than nervous hesitation
to pussyfoot
vsto waffle on
  • Informal
6 8.6

To avoid making a clear decision or giving a direct answer

is more about vague evasive speaking rather than cautious behavior
to fudge
vsto waffle on
5 7.7

To avoid giving a clear answer or decision

is more about general indecision and evasive speaking than duty avoidance
to shilly-shally
vsto waffle on
  • Informal
1 9.9

To hesitate before making a decision

is more about vague evasive speech rather than simple delaying of choice
to fudge the issue
vsto waffle on
  • Informal
8.4

To avoid answering a question directly by being unclear

is broader, covering indecision or vague speech beyond problem avoidance
to flannel
vsto waffle on
  • UK
9.6

To speak in a vague or praising way to avoid answering

is more about general indecision rather than insincere flattering evasion
to wabble
vsto waffle on
9.9

To be unsure and change your mind often

is more about vague evasive speaking than frequent opinion changes

Antonyms

to decide
∞ 1.0

To make a choice after thinking about the options

to clarify
248 3.3

To make something clear so others can understand it

How Decisive

to decide
∞ 1.0
to hesitate
318 2.5
to waffle on
  • Informal
3 9.0
to hem and haw
  • Informal
3 8.4

Surface Forms

waffle on infinitive
waffled on past
waffled on past participle
waffling on present participle
waffles on third person singular

Morphology

waffle + on

The verb 'waffle' already carries the meaning 'vacillate or delay decision-making', and the particle 'on' simply marks ongoing action or speech, so the composite meaning 'to be indecisive or speak evasively/at length' is directly derivable. This follows common English verb+particle composition patterns and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.

Etymology

Waffle on may come from an old use of waffle meaning to move back and forth. Imagine someone who keeps changing their words or choice, going back and forth, and you can see why waffle on now means 'to be indecisive' or 'to speak in a vague way'.