Meanings
present singular third person fiddles while Rome burns · participle present fiddling while Rome burns · participle past fiddled while Rome burned · past fiddled while Rome burned · participle past fiddled while Rome burnt · past fiddled while Rome burnt · alternative fiddle whilst Rome burns
- idiomaticTo neglect helping when one’s time is needed most; to ignore the major problem at hand (whilst doing something less important); to be idle, inactive, or uninterested in a time of great need.
Synonyms: sit on one's hands, sit on one's thumbs
Synonyms & antonyms
verbTo neglect helping when one’s time is needed most; to ignore the major problem at hand (whilst doing something less important); to be idle, inactive, or uninterested in a time of great need.
Origin
From the ancient rumour that the Roman emperor Nero played a lyre during the Great Fire of Rome (AD 64).
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Finnish haaskata aikaa kun olisi tärkeämpääkin tekemistä
- haaskata aikaa kun olisi tärkeämpääkin tekemistäto ignore the major problem
Greek εδώ ο κόσμος καίγεται και το μουνί χτενίζεται
- εδώ ο κόσμος καίγεται και το μουνί χτενίζεται (edó o kósmos kaígetai kai to mouní chtenízetai)to ignore the major problem
Polish nie zajmować się problemem
- nie zajmować się problememto ignore the major problem
Russian пир во вре́мя чумы́
- пир во вре́мя чумы́ (pir vo vrémja čumý)to ignore the major problem
Cite this entry
fiddle while Rome burns. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fiddle%20while%20Rome%20burns
“fiddle while Rome burns.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fiddle%20while%20Rome%20burns. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fiddle while Rome burns,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fiddle%20while%20Rome%20burns.
Source: fiddle while Rome burns on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.