fiddling

An old-fashioned adjective meaning trifling, trivial, or insignificant; often used to describe small, unimportant matters or actions.

• 🇩🇪Veraltetes Adjektiv, das unbedeutend, geringfügig oder nichtig bedeutet; wird oft für kleine, unwichtige Angelegenheiten oder Handlungen verwendet.

1. Trivial or insignificant B2 informal

   Describes something that is small, unimportant, or of little consequence.

   • He spent the whole afternoon on fiddling details.
   • Don't worry about such fiddling matters.
   • The report was full of fiddling errors that didn't affect the main conclusion.

   🇩🇪Belanglos

   Synonyme: inconsequentialinsignificantminornegligiblepettypiddlingtriflingtrivial

   Antonyme: considerableimportantmajorsignificantsubstantial

• more fiddling comparative form
• most fiddling superlative form

A verb used to indicate the act of making small, aimless movements or adjustments, often with one's hands, or to tinker with something in an unproductive way.

• 🇩🇪Verb, das kleine, ziellose Bewegungen oder Anpassungen bezeichnet, oft mit den Händen, oder das Beschäftigen mit etwas auf nutzlose Weise; außerdem Geige spielen.

1. Play the violin B1 informal

   To play the violin, especially in folk or informal music.

   • He fiddled a lively tune at the pub.
   • She loves to fiddle traditional Irish songs.
   • The musician fiddled all night at the festival.

   🇩🇪Geige spielen

2. Tinker or adjust B1 informal

   To touch or adjust something in a restless or aimless way.

   • Stop fiddling with the radio knobs.
   • He fiddled with his pen while thinking.
   • She fiddled with the settings on her phone.

   🇩🇪Herumspielen oder justieren

   Synonyme: fidgetmessplaytinkertoytweak

3. Manipulate dishonestly B2 informal

   To alter or manipulate something in a dishonest way to gain an advantage.

   • The accountant was caught fiddling the books.
   • They fiddled the results to win the competition.
   • He was accused of fiddling his expenses.

   🇩🇪Betrügen

   Synonyme: cookdoctorfalsifyfixfudgemanipulaterigtamper

• fiddled past participle
• fiddled past simple
• fiddling present participle
• fiddles third person singular

Phrasal-Varianten: fiddle with