fiddle /ˈfɪdl/► SEE ALLfiddle while Rome burnson the fiddle(as) fit as a fiddleplay second fiddle ●ˌfiddle while Rome ˈburns (saying) do nothing or waste your time when you should be dealing with a dangerous or serious situation在危急关头无所事事;大难临头漠不关心;隔岸观火◆With the world’s population growing fast and millions getting hungrier every day, the leaders of the rich nations just seem to be fiddling while Rome burns. 世界人口急速增长,数百万的人每天忍饥挨饿,可是富有国家的领导人对此好像无动于衷,漠然视之。ORIGINThis phrase refers to the Roman emperor Nero, who fiddled (= played the violin) during the burning of Rome in AD 64.这个短语源于古罗马。公元 64 年罗马大火,皇帝尼禄却在拉小提琴。●on the ˈfiddle (BrE, informal) getting money by doing dishonest things, usually at work, for example stealing from your employer, making false claims for expenses, etc.(谎报假账等)骗钱◆He was on the fiddle for years and his boss never suspected a thing. 多年来他偷偷摸摸骗了好多钱,而他老板从来没起过疑心。●(as) ˌfit as a ˈfiddle ( ˌfighting ˈfit) very healthy and active非常健康活跃◆After our walking holiday, I came back feeling fit as a fiddle.我们徒步旅行回来以后,我觉得身体状态好极了。●play second ˈfiddlehave a lower or less important position than another person居次要职位;做第二把手;充当副手◆She wants to be the boss, not play second fiddle to somebody else.她想当老板,不想给人当副手。OPPcall the shots/the tuneNOTEFiddle is an informal word for ‘violin’. * fiddle 是 violin (小提琴)的非正式用语。