fiddles while Rome burns
Prioritizes trivia disastrously
To fiddle while Rome burns is to occupy yourself with trivial matters during a crisis—ignoring urgent problems for petty distractions.
The phrase alludes to the legend of Emperor Nero playing music as fire consumed the city.
Congress fiddles while Rome burns, debating procedure while the economy collapses.
- NeroTyrannical first-century ruler
- lyreSmall plucked string instrument
- procrastinationHabitual task avoidance
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- complacencyUncritical satisfaction with oneself
apathy · head in the sand · willful ignorance · diversion · irresponsibility · conflagration · hubris · frivolity · mismanagement · obliviousness · insensitivity · disregard · calamity · folklore · emergency · crisis management · too little too late · rearranging deck chairs
fiddles while Rome burnstakes the bull by the horns
Addresses a problem directly
rolls up one's sleeves · steps up to the plate · answers the call · mobilizes · all hands on deck
fiddles while Rome burnskeeps one's eye on the ball
Maintains concentration on priorities
gets down to brass tacks · cuts to the chase · sees the forest for the trees · faces the music
fiddle, fiddles, fiddled, fiddling, fiddler, fiddlers, Romans, Romanesque, burners