Dilly-dallied

To waste time, especially by delaying or hesitating; to dawdle. It implies a lack of urgency or purpose, often resulting in procrastination or inefficiency. The act of dilly-dallying suggests an enjoyment of the present moment, even if it comes at the expense of future commitments. It can also indicate indecisiveness or a reluctance to take action, leading to a postponement of tasks or decisions. This term carries a slightly playful or lighthearted connotation, implying a less serious form of delay than other, more formal terms like 'procrastinated'.

Dilly-dallied meaning with examples

• Instead of starting his homework, Tom dilly-dallied, playing video games for hours. Now, he was scrambling to finish it before the deadline. He regretted his dilly-dallying, knowing it caused unnecessary stress.
• The committee dilly-dallied for weeks on the project's approval, and finally the deadline was nearing. This resulted in a delay. This indecision created tension and ultimately jeopardized the entire endeavour, leaving members feeling deflated.
• The hikers initially dilly-dallied at the start of their trail, taking excessive breaks to take pictures. They were late on getting back by nightfall. They finally had to pick up the pace to make it back to their camp safe.
• Maria dilly-dallied about getting ready in the morning. This caused her to consistently be late for work. Her procrastination finally resulted in reprimands. Her employer became more demanding.
• The construction crew seemed to dilly-dally in completing the building's framework, taking longer than necessary. Ultimately, the project fell behind schedule. This extended project duration increased costs.
• The team was going to work overtime to meet the deadline to complete the project on time. They realized that dilly-dallying was a time killer and to complete all the project's requirements.
• While on holiday she started to dilly-dally, taking her time going shopping each day, rather than checking out new places. This relaxed her attitude and allowed her to unwind, leading to an enjoyable trip.
• The sales team was struggling with low sales. Management noticed that there was dilly-dallying around. They realized they needed to revamp the process, creating urgency and achieving their targets.