diddles
Tricks for gain
Diddles is the third-person singular of diddle, a verb with several meanings.
To diddle someone is to cheat or swindle them: The contractor diddled us out of thousands.
To diddle around is to waste time on trivial matters.
In vulgar slang, diddle means to masturbate or fondle sexually: diddling himself under the covers.
The word often carries a sense of furtive, small-scale activity.
Spends moments unproductively
- loafsSpends time idly
- idlesPasses time uselessly
- lollygagsSpends time idly
- dalliesIdles without purpose
lingers · putters · fritters · loiters · procrastinates · delays · tarries · pokes
Rotates idly between fingers
- fidgetsRestless small movements
- toysObjects for amusement
- tinkersMeddles amateurishly with mechanisms
- playsStaged dramatic works
fingers · fusses · putters · monkeys · messes · dabbles · trifles · potters
Deception for financial gain
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- conArgument against
- bilkDefraud of payment
- defraudObtain through deceit
fleece · rip off · gyp · hustle · grift · embezzle · bamboozle · hoodwink
Playful mischievous acts
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
- monkeyshinesFrivolous or mischievous behavior
high jinks · tricks · capers · escapades · larks · frolics · naughtiness · roguery
wastes time
Spends moments unproductively
dallies · lingers · putters · fritters · loiters · procrastinates · delays · tarries · pokes · kills time
twiddles
Rotates idly between fingers
plays · fingers · fusses · putters · monkeys · messes · dabbles · trifles · potters · picks at
swindle
Deception for financial gain
defraud · fleece · rip off · gyp · hustle · grift · embezzle · bamboozle · hoodwink · shortchange
pranks
Playful mischievous acts
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
monkeyshines · high jinks · tricks · capers · escapades · larks · frolics · naughtiness · roguery · impishness
diddleshonors
Recognition for achievement
respects · reimburses · levels with · enriches · benefits
diddlesaccomplishes
Completes a goal successfully
achieves · produces · applies oneself · focuses · hustles
- diddly squatSlang for nothing
- Hey Diddle DiddleClassic children's verse