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fiddle while Rome burns

To neglect helping when one's time is needed most; to ignore the major problem at hand (whilst doing something less important); to be idle, inactive, or uninterested in a time of great need.

Etymology:

  • From the ancient rumour that the Roman emperor Nero played a lyre whilst the city of Rome was burning.
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Submitted on July 07, 2010

Additional definitions for 'fiddle while Rome burns':

Fiddle While Rome BurnsTo do nothing or engage you in trivial things knowing that something urgent and critical is happening around
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violon pendant que Rome brûle

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to fiddle while Rome burns

fiddle faddleplay first fiddleMake Hay While the Sun Shinesonce in a whileall roads lead to romefiddle withmake hay while the sun shinesfiddle aroundFit as a Fiddlein a while crocodileeven a blind pig can find an acorn once…fiddle withget out while the getting's goodfiddle sticks

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    "fiddle while Rome burns." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/fiddle-while-rome-burns_12278>.

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