What does dilly-dally mean?
Dilly-dally means (intransitive) To dawdle; to waste time; to procrastinate..
Dilly-dally
/ˈdɪliˌdæli/ · verb
Meaning
(intransitive) To dawdle; to waste time; to procrastinate..
Example Sentences
It is something to have been an old soldier, but more still to have been a doctor. There is no time to dilly-dally in our work.
“I wouldn't dilly-dally long if I were you,” said Harkless, and his advice seemed good to the shell-men.
It likewise manifests the frankness of men who do not dilly-dally with terms, but who say what they mean, and who mean to settle down to a long, hard fight.
No one can accuse the filmmakers of dillydallying; no sooner have the opening credits ended than we’re watching, via a mirrored ceiling, a couple writhing naked in coital ecstasy.
Synonyms for dilly-dally
Antonyms for dilly-dally
Related Words
Word Forms
- dilly-dallies
- dilly-dallying
- dilly-dallied
- dilly dally
- dillydally
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for dilly-dally?
Common synonyms include arse about, arse around, bludge, bum around.
What is the opposite of dilly-dally?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use dilly-dally in a sentence?
It is something to have been an old soldier, but more still to have been a doctor. There is no time to dilly-dally in our work.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.