Dilly-dally

To waste time; to dawdle or loiter, especially when there is something important to be done. This term suggests a lack of purpose and a tendency towards procrastination. It implies a leisurely pace and a failure to act promptly or decisively. Often used in situations where someone is being unproductive or avoiding a necessary task. The term highlights the negative consequences of delaying action and can imply a judgment of the person's behavior. The origin is not fully known but the sound of the word suggests slowness and repetition of an unnecessary or time-wasting actions. It suggests a reluctance to get something done, showing a level of carelessness, lack of focus, and a disregard for the value of time.

Dilly-dally meaning with examples

• The project deadline was approaching, but he continued to dilly-dally, chatting with colleagues instead of working. His procrastination angered his boss, resulting in consequences that impacted the company’s timelines. Instead of completing the report he dilly-dallied around the office. Now with the deadline nearing, he needed to work overtime. He'll probably get written up for his behavior.
• She warned him to stop dilly-dallying and start packing, as they were late for their flight. His tendency to dilly-dally when preparing to leave meant they were always in a rush. Their vacation would be impacted if he didn't change his ways. He eventually got his things packed; however, it was a mad rush, barely getting to the airport.
• The coach yelled at the team to stop dilly-dallying during the training session, as they had a game to win. The team was too relaxed during practice. All that dilly-dallying was distracting, taking away from the time that they needed to prepare. The game started and the team was not prepared. Their loss was because of their poor preparation.
• Instead of starting her homework, she chose to dilly-dally online, wasting valuable study time. When it was time to study, all she did was dilly-dally on her phone, taking away valuable study time. As the test came, she was not prepared and failed. Her lack of focus affected her grade, creating disappointment and a need to study harder.
• He knew he should call the repairman, but he kept dilly-dallying, hoping the problem would fix itself. His aversion to dealing with issues left them unresolved. His lack of action caused greater stress and anxiety. He should've called when the problem first occurred, wasting less time and money.