Dillydally

To waste time by lingering, dawdling, or delaying; to proceed slowly and without purpose or efficiency. It implies a reluctance to act or a tendency to procrastinate, often leading to missed opportunities or unfinished tasks. The word evokes a sense of aimlessness and a lack of urgency, suggesting that the individual is not using their time productively. This behaviour can be driven by indecision, distraction, or a simple enjoyment of procrastination. It is a colloquial term used to describe unproductive procrastination and can often be seen as being quite childish and unmotivated.

Dillydally meaning with examples

• The team needed to finish the project by Friday, but they kept **dillydallying** around the office, chatting, and avoiding their work. By Thursday night, little progress had been made, and they realised that they were far behind schedule. Their manager was furious, and they had to work all weekend to get the job completed, demonstrating the negative impact of procrastination in a business environment.
• Maria planned to go for a walk. She started to get ready, but she kept **dillydallying**. She checked her phone repeatedly, spent ages deciding what to wear, and eventually abandoned her plans for the day. Her tendency to delay her commitments and get distracted often led to missed chances to complete tasks. This delay caused her to be unable to achieve her personal goals.
• The children were supposed to be cleaning their rooms, but they were **dillydallying**, playing games instead. Their mother warned them they would lose their TV time if the chores were not done. They continued to dawdle and postpone their tasks, hoping to get away with not doing it, but in the end they lost TV time. This taught them about accountability and responsibilities.
• The hikers started their ascent early, but the slowest member of the team kept **dillydallying**, taking excessive breaks and admiring the scenery. They struggled to reach the summit before nightfall because of the frequent stops and the team had to face challenges from their lack of efficiency. The delays jeopardized their safety and demonstrated the importance of teamwork and efficiency in challenging situations.