fiddle while Rome burns en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From the ancient rumour that the Roman emperor Nero played a lyre during the Great Fire of Rome (AD 64).
Meanings
- (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.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| fiddle whilst Rome burns | alternative | lexicographic | |
| fiddled while Rome burnt | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| fiddled while Rome burnt | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| fiddles while Rome burns | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| fiddled while Rome burned | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| fiddled while Rome burned | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| fiddling while Rome burns | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |
Relateds
bury one's head in the sand · rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic
Synonyms
sit on one's hands · sit on one's thumbs
Translations (4)
ru пир во вре́мя чумы́ (to ignore the major problem) · pl nie zajmować się problemem (to ignore the major problem) · el εδώ ο κόσμος καίγεται και το μουνί χτενίζεται (to ignore the major problem) · fi haaskata aikaa kun olisi tärkeämpääkin tekemistä (to ignore the major problem)