dillydallied
Puttered around aimlessly
Dillydallied is the past tense of dillydally, meaning to waste time through indecision or aimless delay.
It suggests puttering, dawdling, or being slow to act when action is needed: We dillydallied at the market and missed our train.
The word has a playful, slightly scolding tone.
Moved slowly, idly
- loiteredWaited idly somewhere
- tarriedDelayed in departing
- lollygaggedSpent time aimlessly
- shilly-shalliedHesitated indecisively
dithered · stalled · frittered · idled · puttered · piddled · pottered · trifled
Remained beyond expected
- saunteredWalked in unhurried fashion
- ambledWalked slowly, relaxedly
- meanderedTraveled without direct course
- moseyedWalked slowly, aimlessly
strolled · lounged · loafed · lazed · lollygagged · unhurried · poked along · puttered
Showed unsteady resolve
- vacillatedChanged mind repeatedly
- hesitatedPaused from uncertainty
- waffledSpoke evasively, indecisively
- equivocatedSpoke ambiguously on purpose
faltered · teetered · dithered · hemmed · hawed · flip-flopped · seesawed · yo-yoed
Indulged in idle fantasy
- zoned outMentally checked out
- wanderedMoved without fixed course
- strayedMoved off course
- fiddled aroundSpent time unproductively
goofed off · fooled around · monkeyed around · messed around
dawdled
Moved slowly, idly
- loiteredWaited idly somewhere
- tarriedDelayed in departing
- lollygaggedSpent time aimlessly
shilly-shallied · dithered · stalled · frittered · idled · puttered · piddled · pottered · trifled · delayed
lingered
Remained beyond expected
- saunteredWalked in unhurried fashion
- ambledWalked slowly, relaxedly
- meanderedTraveled without direct course
moseyed · strolled · lounged · loafed · lazed · lollygagged · unhurried · poked along · puttered · moseyed along
wavered
Showed unsteady resolve
- vacillatedChanged mind repeatedly
- hesitatedPaused from uncertainty
- waffledSpoke evasively, indecisively
equivocated · faltered · teetered · dithered · hemmed · hawed · flip-flopped · seesawed · yo-yoed · second-guessed
daydreamed
Indulged in idle fantasy
fiddled around · goofed off · fooled around · monkeyed around · messed around
dillydalliedbuckled down
Began working earnestly
got down to business · focused · concentrated · applied oneself · knuckled down
dillydallieddecided
Reached a conclusion
committed · resolved · determined · took the plunge · bit the bullet