fiddle while Rome burns
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From the ancient rumour that the Roman emperor Nero played a lyre whilst the city of Rome was burning.
Pronunciation[edit]
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb[edit]
fiddle while Rome burns (third-person singular simple present fiddles while Rome burns, present participle fiddling while Rome burns, simple past and past participle fiddled while Rome burned or fiddled while Rome burnt)
- (idiomatic) 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.
Synonyms[edit]
Translations[edit]
to ignore the major problem
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