fiddle

I UK [ˈfɪd(ə)l] / US verb
Word forms "fiddle":
present tense I/you/we/they fiddle he/she/it fiddles present participle fiddling past tense fiddled past participle fiddled
*

1)

a) [intransitive] to touch or move something with many small quick movements of your fingers because you are bored, nervous, or concentrating on something else

fiddle with:

She fiddled with the sugar packet, avoiding his eyes.

b) to touch, move, or change something many times in order to improve it or make it work better

Kay was fiddling with the radio dial.

2) [transitive] informal to produce false results or records, in order to get money or other benefits

They all fiddle their taxes.

fiddle the figures/books/accounts:

They accuse the government of fiddling the unemployment figures.

3) [intransitive] informal to play a tune on the violin

•

- fiddle while Rome burns

Phrasal verbs:

- fiddle around

II UK [ˈfɪd(ə)l] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "fiddle":
singular fiddle plural fiddles informal

1) a dishonest method of getting money or other benefits

a tax/insurance fiddle

be on the fiddle:

He thought all self-employed people were on the fiddle.

2) a violin

3) [usually singular] an act of touching, moving, or changing something many times in order to improve it or make it work better

•

- fit as a fiddle

- play second fiddle to someone