Meaning

(informal) To procrastinate..

Definitions by Sense

1. (informal) To procrastinate.
2. (informal) To vacillate.
3. (informal) Indecisive; wavering.
4. (informal) Indecision; irresolution.

Example Sentences

"Why, you sees [sic], Captain, your time has come, and you can't shilly-shally any longer. You have had your full swing; your years are up, and you must die like a man!"

1866, Charles Reade, Griffith Gaunt, in The Argosy: Volume 2 - Page 16, published by Strahan and Co. "She would have come a few months ago, and gladly: I'll write to her." "Better talk to her, and persuade her." "I'll do that too, but I must write to her first". "So do then; but whatever you do, don't shilly-shally no longer."

However the resolutions seem merely calculated to waste time, as they involve a whole preliminary discussion before the really important matters can be settled. If the Liberal party were sincere, there would doubtless be an attempt to turn out the Government at once, on the ground that such shilly-shallying with a matter of such importance cannot be allowed

The shilly-shallying performance on domestic issues that has marked Bush's first two years in office is not the result of ineptitude.

Then Germany lost its halo. It shilly-shallied over Ukraine.

Irwine would think him a shilly-shally fellow ever after.

Word Forms

• shilly-shallies
• shilly-shallying
• shilly-shallied
• shilly and shally
• more shilly-shally
• most shilly-shally

Related Words

When Should You Use Shilly-shally?

Use shilly-shally when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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