Phrase guide

fiddle while Rome burns

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

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.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the ancient rumour that the Roman emperor Nero played a lyre during the Great Fire of Rome (AD 64).

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: haaskata aikaa kun olisi tärkeämpääkin tekemistä — to ignore the major problem
  • Greek: 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 — to ignore the major problem