dilly-dally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dilly-dally" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a informal, verb phrase used to mean "waste time on unimportant things". For example, you can use it in a sentence like this: "If you keep dilly-dallying, you'll never finish the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Lesson One urges layabouts: "Don't dilly-dally!

The New York Times

12.55am GMT Well, they didn't dilly-dally over that.

The Guardian - Sport

Don't expect either Mr. Howard or Mr. Rosen to dilly-dally.

The New York Times

There is less time to dilly-dally on the road to building a business.

The New York Times

There was no speed limit, and the rules admonished motorists "do not dilly-dally," Mr. Mallamo said.

The New York Times

Dilly-Dally Duck sits in the reeds by the side of a pretty pond as the neighbors and their babies come by, but Dilly-Dally won't abandon her secrets.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

We'll just have to hope that C4 doesn't dilly dally about getting series two to our screens.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's always the same when you dilly dally in getting up to the buffet at a social function – most of the luxury dishes are gone.

The Guardian - Film

They have toured with fellow febrile punk newcomers Slaves and Dilly Dally, and their debut EP, She's Here Now, is out this month.

The Guardian - Music

Pockriss supplied the catchy melody but they hawked it around for six months until it was recorded by 16-year-old Brian Hyland, who recalls, "We had cut 'Don't Dilly Dally, Sally' but Kapp Records wanted something stronger for the A-side.

Independent

While the 1950's was a whirlwind of shows and public appearances for Howdy, in the 1960's he went from Doodyville to Dullsville, tucked away in obscurity along with some of his marionette colleagues -- Phineas T. Bluster, Flub-a-Dub and Dilly Dally -- in the attic of Mr. Rose's home in Waterford, Conn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The hyphenated form is standard, though some modern sources occasionally drop the hyphen. Stick to the hyphenated version for formal consistency.

Common error

While both are reduplicative phrases, "dilly-dally" specifically refers to wasting time or moving slowly, whereas "shilly-shally" implies indecisiveness or vacillation between choices. Avoid using them interchangeably if the cause of the delay is clear.

Linguistic Context

"dilly-dally" is primarily used as an intransitive verb, functioning as a reduplicative compound. According to Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the repetitive or trivial nature of the time-wasting activity. It rarely takes a direct object and is often followed by a prepositional phrase like 'over' or 'about'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki & How-to Guides

15%

Lifestyle & Blogs

10%

Less common in

Academic Writing

2%

Scientific Research

1%

Legal Documents

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dilly-dally" is a versatile and expressive verb phrase used to describe the act of wasting time or dawdling. Data from Ludwig shows that while it sounds informal, it is widely accepted in professional journalism to describe delays in decision-making or action. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and is almost always spelled with a hyphen. Using it allows a writer to convey impatience or a critique of inefficiency more vividly than neutral synonyms like 'stall' or 'delay'. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a 'Correct' and effective tool for adding character to English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drag one's feet

Emphasizes a deliberate and often reluctant delay in taking action

shilly-shally

Focuses more on hesitation and indecisiveness rather than just wasting time

dawdle

A more common synonym that refers to moving slowly or taking too much time

procrastinate

A more formal term focusing on the psychological act of putting off tasks

stall

Implies a strategic delay, often to buy more time

waste time

A literal, neutral description of the core concept

linger

Suggests staying somewhere longer than necessary, often out of enjoyment

tarry

A literary or archaic term for staying longer than intended

idle

Refers to spending time doing absolutely nothing productive

loaf

An informal term meaning to spend time idly or lazily

FAQs

How do I use "dilly-dally" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone wasting time, for example: 'We have a flight to catch, so please don't "dawdle" or "dilly-dally" in the gift shop.'

What is the difference between "dilly-dally" and "procrastinate"?

While both involve delay, "dilly-dally" often implies moving slowly or wasting time on trivialities, while "procrastinate" usually refers to avoiding a specific important task.

Is "dilly-dally" formal enough for a business email?

It is generally considered informal. In a professional setting, you might prefer more neutral terms like "delay" or "hesitate".

Is it "dilly dally" or "dilly-dally"?

The most common and accepted form is the hyphenated "dilly-dally", though you may see "dilly dally" without the hyphen in less formal digital writing.