/ ˈaɪdli; NAmE / adverb
without any particular reason, purpose or effort; doing nothing :
She sat in the sun, idly sipping a cool drink.
He wondered idly what would happen.
We can't stand idly by (= do nothing) and let people starve.
/ ˈaɪdli; NAmE / adverb
without any particular reason, purpose or effort; doing nothing :
She sat in the sun, idly sipping a cool drink.
He wondered idly what would happen.
We can't stand idly by (= do nothing) and let people starve.
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005