Shilly-shally definition

shĭlē-shălē
shilly-shallied shilly-shallies shilly-shallying
See word origin
Frequency:
To procrastinate.
verb
2
0
To be unable to come to a decision; vacillate.
verb
1
0
To spend time on insignificant things; dawdle.
verb
1
0
Hesitant; vacillating.
adjective
1
0
Procrastination; hesitation.
noun
1
0
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To be irresolute; vacillate, esp. over trifles.
verb
1
0
In a hesitant manner; irresolutely.
adverb
0
0
(now rare) In a vacillating manner; irresolutely.
adverb
0
0
(now rare) Vacillation or irresolution, esp. over a trivial matter.
noun
0
0
verb
0
0
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verb
0
0
adjective
0
0

Origin of shilly-shally

  • Reduplication of the question shall I?

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From shall I. Shill-I-shall-I was an older form.

    From Wiktionary