fiddles while Rome burns

A form of fiddle while Rome burns — To 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.

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Meanings

verb
  1. indicativepresentsingularthird personthird-person singular simple present indicative of fiddle while Rome burns
Cite this entry
APA

fiddles while Rome burns. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fiddles%20while%20Rome%20burns

MLA

“fiddles while Rome burns.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fiddles%20while%20Rome%20burns. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fiddles while Rome burns,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fiddles%20while%20Rome%20burns.

Source: fiddles while Rome burns on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.