/ ˈfɪdl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v ] fiddle (with sth) to keep touching or moving sth with your hands, especially because you are bored or nervous :
He was fiddling with his keys while he talked to me.
2.
[ vn ] ( informal ) to change the details or figures of sth in order to try to get money dishonestly, or gain an advantage :
to fiddle the accounts
She fiddled the books (= changed a company's financial records) while working as an accountant.
3.
[ v ] ( informal ) to play music on the violin
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PHRASAL VERBS
- fiddle about / around
- fiddle about / around with sth | fiddle with sth
■ noun ( informal )
1.
[ C ] = violin
2.
[ C ] ( BrE ) something that is done dishonestly to get money
SYN fraud :
an insurance / tax, etc. fiddle
3.
[ sing. ] ( BrE ) an act of moving sth or adjusting sth in order to make it work
4.
[ sing. ] ( BrE ) something that is difficult to do
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IDIOMS
- be on the fiddle
- play second fiddle (to sb/sth)
—more at fit adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English fithele , denoting a violin or similar instrument (originally not an informal or depreciatory term), related to Dutch vedel and German Fiedel , based on Latin vitulari celebrate a festival, be joyful, perhaps from Vitula , the name of a Roman goddess of joy and victory. Compare with viol .