dilly-dallied
Frittered away hours
Dilly-dallied is the past tense of dilly-dally, meaning to waste time through indecision or aimless delay.
It suggests dawdling or being unable to settle on a course of action: We dilly-dallied at the market and missed our train.
The word has a playful, slightly scolding tone.
Traveled without direct course
- saunteredWalked in unhurried fashion
- ambledWalked slowly, relaxedly
- strolledWalked slowly, casually
- moseyedWalked slowly, aimlessly
pottered · puttered · loitered · lollygagged · took time · unhurried · relaxed · casual
Moved slowly, idly
- delayedMade to wait longer
- postponedMoved to a later date
- stalledStopped unexpectedly
- hesitatedPaused from uncertainty
put off · avoided · sidetracked · distracted · unfocused · wasted time · frittered · idled
Showed unsteady resolve
- hesitatedPaused from uncertainty
- vacillatedChanged mind repeatedly
- waffledSpoke evasively, indecisively
- ditheredWas unable to decide
flip-flopped · equivocated · deliberated · second-guessed · uncertain · irresolute · wishy-washy · hemmed and hawed
meandered
Traveled without direct course
moseyed · pottered · puttered · loitered · lollygagged · took time · unhurried · relaxed · casual · lazy
dawdled
Moved slowly, idly
hesitated · put off · avoided · sidetracked · distracted · unfocused · wasted time · frittered · idled · loafed
wavered
Showed unsteady resolve
- hesitatedPaused from uncertainty
- vacillatedChanged mind repeatedly
- waffledSpoke evasively, indecisively
dithered · flip-flopped · equivocated · deliberated · second-guessed · uncertain · irresolute · wishy-washy · hemmed and hawed · faltered
dilly-dalliedbuckled down
Began working earnestly
applied oneself · focused · concentrated · knuckled down · pressed on
dilly-dallieddecided
Reached a conclusion
committed · resolved · buckled down · took action · got down to business
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