fiddle

USAGE SUMMARY

"fiddle" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean "manipulate or tamper with something, especially in a dishonest or illegal way," or as a noun to mean "a type of small stringed instrument resembling a violin, played with a bow." Example sentence: She was caught trying to fiddle the books at her office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was brought in to fill the gap left by the departure of George Ford for Bath – Leicester's opponents on Sunday – when Ford tired of playing second fiddle to the man he could well replace in the England team when Flood moves to France in the summer, probably to Toulouse, although that is yet to be confirmed.

The Guardian - Sport

Apple gets it in the neck ("When you buy an album on iTunes you're renting music rather than buying it; you're getting the equivalent of an IOU"), as does YouTube, for letting major artists fiddle their viewing figures.

The Guardian - Music

A series of increasingly eye-catching screen roles followed, including Ada in the BBC's Bleak House, a guest shot on Doctor Who, the best friend in an ITV drama of another Austen, Northanger Abbey (playing second fiddle to Felicity Jones), and that stellar Seagull at the Royal Court, also in 2007.

The Guardian - Film

For a man who "writes like a two-year-old", "can't spell" and is too "completely and utterly disorganised" to "fiddle taxes", he has been surprisingly articulate on Twitter so far.

The Guardian - Sport

They tend to fiddle around the edges, which even then brings moans from people who do notice the differences.

The Guardian - Tech

Throughout much of her career, Jane went along as second fiddle to the interviewer, often being squeezed in for a few minutes at the beginning or at the end.

The Guardian - Arts

Bridie Staunton, who ran a hairdressing business and occasionally played fiddle in Irish showbands, rarely had such times with her only child, Imelda Mary Philomena Bernadette Staunton.

The Guardian

Those people and the thousands of others working in similarly precarious and punishing conditions make the garments we wear and the electronic goods we fiddle about with.

The Guardian - Opinion

It should also be stressed that he was not even allowed to pick his own teams but had to play second fiddle to a so-called selection committee made up of football club directors.

The Guardian - Sport

But Hopcraft, a professional on the hunt, tracked it every fiddle of the way.

The Guardian

Many also thought that the decision constituted very shabby treatment of Messerer, who had done more than anyone to establish the troupe's artistic credentials and was now, it seemed, going to have to play second fiddle.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fiddle" to mean manipulate dishonestly, ensure the context clearly indicates the deceptive intent. For example, "He was caught trying to "fiddle" the accounts."

Common error

Avoid using "fiddle" in formal or technical contexts where more precise language is appropriate. Opt for terms like "adjust", "modify", or "calibrate" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "fiddle" functions primarily as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it signifies actions ranging from nervously adjusting something to manipulating data dishonestly, as Ludwig AI confirms. As a noun, it refers to a violin, especially in folk music.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fiddle" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, ranging from playing a stringed instrument to manipulating something, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides varied examples. Its usage spans across news, business, and technical contexts, although the level of formality varies. When intending a formal connotation, consider using "adjust", "manipulate", or "tinker" to ensure concision and specificity, especially if the setting requires it. The term "fiddle" is found very often in The Economist and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tamper

Emphasizes unauthorized or inappropriate alteration.

adjust

Focuses on making small changes to improve or correct something.

manipulate

Highlights skillful, often deceptive, handling.

tinker

Suggests experimental or amateurish adjustment.

rig

Implies dishonest arrangement or manipulation.

play around with

Indicates casual or exploratory handling.

interfere

Stresses unwanted or disruptive involvement.

mess with

Suggests meddling with potentially negative consequences.

doctor

Implies deceptive alteration to improve appearance.

play second fiddle

Focuses on being in a subservient or less important role.

FAQs

How can I use "fiddle" in a sentence?

You can use "fiddle" as a verb meaning to manipulate something in a clumsy or nervous way, or to dishonestly change something. For example, "He was "fiddling" with the radio knob" or "She tried to "fiddle" the numbers in the report."

What does it mean to "play second fiddle"?

To "play second fiddle" means to take a subordinate role to someone else. For example, "She always had to "play second fiddle" to her older sister".

What are some synonyms for "fiddle" when it means to adjust something?

When "fiddle" means to adjust something, you can use synonyms such as "adjust", "tinker", or "manipulate".

What's the difference between "fiddle" and "tamper"?

"Fiddle" can imply a nervous or clumsy handling, while "tamper" suggests a deliberate and often unauthorized alteration. In some contexts, they may be interchangeable, but "tamper" generally carries a stronger negative connotation.