dilly-dallying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dilly-dallying" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is wasting time or being indecisive instead of taking action. Example: "Stop dilly-dallying and get to work on your project; the deadline is approaching fast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Gaining valuable life experience is not exactly dilly-dallying.

The New York Times

Life force low!" if a team had been dilly-dallying.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is not a glorious entrance, but the park itself is, and warrants dawdling and dilly-dallying.

The Guardian - Travel

They will then evaluate the study programme, cross-reference and legitimise responses, authenticate the results, and any other amount of dilly-dallying.

The Economist

But one message that might be drawn from this film is that, if anything, they should spend less time dilly-dallying around.

The Guardian - Film

As a freelancer, chances are you're interested in independently pitching your services to businesses instead of dilly-dallying around, awaiting job listings on highly competitive job boards.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

But Mr Dervis dilly-dallied over any decision.

The Economist

He wouldn't necessarily have chosen that path, but Glamorgan have dilly-dallied over the negotiations.

The Guardian - Sport

From there the winger raced straight towards David de Gea's goal but Traoré dilly-dallied and the threat fizzled out.

The Guardian - Sport

But while they dilly-dallied, first the Indian Cricket League and then the IPL stepped in, and the opportunity was lost.

The Guardian - Sport

If the batsmen had just dilly-dallied a bit, they would have been off for lunch, which is, I think, what they were expecting to do.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dilly-dallying" to convey a sense of unproductive delay or hesitation, especially when a task requires prompt action. It adds a slightly playful yet critical tone.

Common error

Avoid using "dilly-dallying" in highly formal or professional writing, as it can sound too informal. Opt for more serious alternatives like "procrastinating" or "delaying" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dilly-dallying" functions as a verb, specifically as a present participle or gerund. It describes the action of delaying, procrastinating, or wasting time. Ludwig AI shows its use in various contexts to indicate a lack of progress or purposeful activity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

16%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Dilly-dallying" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes delaying, wasting time, or being indecisive. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Reference contexts, indicating a slightly informal tone. When writing, it’s best to use "dilly-dallying" to express impatience or disapproval, but avoid it in highly formal settings where alternatives like "procrastinating" or "delaying" are more appropriate. The expert rating, based on grammatical correctness, source authority, and usage consistency, stands at 4.5, highlighting its reliability and versatility in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

procrastinating

Focuses on postponing tasks or decisions.

dawdling

Emphasizes slow and leisurely movement or progress.

dragging one's feet

Highlights reluctance or unwillingness to proceed quickly.

shilly-shallying

Implies indecisiveness and hesitation.

stalling

Suggests deliberately delaying progress.

faffing around

Focuses on wasting time with unproductive activity.

lollygagging

Emphasizes aimless wandering or loafing.

delaying

A general term for postponing or slowing down.

hesitating

Highlights pausing or being reluctant before acting.

wavering

Implies uncertainty and indecision, leading to delay.

FAQs

How can I use "dilly-dallying" in a sentence?

You can use "dilly-dallying" to describe someone who is wasting time or being indecisive. For example: "Stop "dilly-dallying" and make a decision!"

What is a good alternative to "dilly-dallying"?

Good alternatives include "procrastinating", "dawdling", or "dragging one's feet" depending on the specific context.

Is "dilly-dallying" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "dilly-dallying" is generally considered informal. More formal alternatives such as "delaying" or "hesitating" might be more suitable for professional contexts.

What's the difference between "dilly-dallying" and "shilly-shallying"?

"Dilly-dallying" implies wasting time through slow or aimless activity, while "shilly-shallying" specifically suggests indecisiveness and wavering between options.