• shilly-shally

shilly-shally

views updated May 14 2018

shil·ly-shal·ly / ˈshilē ˌshalē/ • v. (-lies, -lied) [intr.] fail to act resolutely or decisively: the government shilly-shallied about the matter.• n. indecisive behavior.DERIVATIVES: shil·ly-shal·ly·er / ˌshalēər/ (also -shal·li·er) n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

shilly-shally

views updated May 18 2018

shilly-shally fail to act resolutely or decisively; originally from a reduplication, shill I, shall I, as used in Congreve's Way of the World (1700).

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

shilly-shally

views updated May 17 2018

shilly-shally phr. stand or go shill I, shall I vacillate, be irresolute XVII; adj. vacillating; sb. vacillation XVIII. f. shall I, with variation of vowel.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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