好词典

fiddling

UK //ˈfɪd.lɪŋ//US //ˈfɪd.lɪŋ//

词源

源自中古英语 'fidelen'(拉小提琴),与古高地德语 'fidulōn' 同源,最终可能来自拉丁语 'vitulari'(庆祝)。

adjective

❶ 形容某事微不足道、琐碎或不重要的,常带有贬义,暗示不值得花费时间或精力。

“He wasted the whole morning on fiddling details.”

(他把整个上午都浪费在琐碎的细节上。)

“Stop worrying about these fiddling matters.”

(别为这些鸡毛蒜皮的小事烦恼了。)

同义词:trivial, petty, insignificant

noun

❶ 指演奏小提琴的动作或行为,也可泛指摆弄、调整小物件的行为。

“His fiddling on the violin was quite impressive.”

(他拉小提琴的技巧令人印象深刻。)

“She enjoys fiddling with old clocks.”

(她喜欢摆弄老式钟表。)

同义词:tinkering, adjusting, playing

常见短语

fiddling while Rome burns — 形容在危急时刻却忙于无关紧要的小事,类似于中文的“火烧眉毛还在弹琴”。

“The politicians were fiddling while Rome burns, ignoring the economic crisis.”

(政客们对经济危机视而不见,简直是火烧眉毛还在弹琴。)