Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Third-person singular simple present indicative form of dilly-dally.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Yet, Bush insists on an open-ended commitment in Iraq, as our armed forces get shot at while their Parliament dilly-dallies, and contemplates a long summer vacation.

    Archive 2007-05-01 2007

  • The compensation related to controversial conversions of mining rights which have basically thrown local small-scale and artesanal miners out of their previous mine workings to make way for industrial-scale transnational corporations which are themselves in a state of paralysis while the central government dilly-dallies on final clearances to begin mining operations.

    Southern gold miners occupation of Mibam offices precipitates Thursday meeting with Minister Rodolfo Sanz 2008

  • Alf, I've heard fellows say (and they was men that had had experience with women, too) -- I've heard 'em say that the chap that dilly-dallies with a woman, and always acts as sweet as pie, never makes no headway.

    Dixie Hart 1888

  • My Biddy wasn't one of the kind that dilly-dallies or shilly-shallies: she pounces on the child like a hawk on a chicken, stops its mouth so it could n't as much as peep, and carries it into a wood near by and hides till dark.

    Stories of Many Lands Grace Greenwood 1863

  • This is not a president who dilly-dallies, leads from behind and has trouble making decisions.

    BBC News - Home 2011

  • He dilly-dallies over his shot and eventually fires the ball straight at Cavalieri.

    The Guardian World News 2010

  • He dilly-dallies over his shot and eventually fires the ball straight at Cavalieri.

    The Guardian World News 2010

  • Pakistan gains as India dilly-dallies on rice exports photo: PIB of India/Photo Division, Ministry of I &

    WN.com - Business News 2010

  • Pakistan gains as India dilly-dallies on rice exports

    WN.com - Articles related to Maharashtra urged to scrap permits for grain-based distilleries 2010

  • Ray Bradbury's comedy, about the men who frequent a small-town Irish bar, dilly-dallies too long, until an amusing story about an inherited wine legacy finally kicks into high gear just before intermission.

    unknown title 2009

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