fiddle while Rome burns
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From the ancient rumour that the Roman emperor Nero played a lyre whilst the city of Rome was burning.
Pronunciation edit
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Verb edit
fiddle while Rome burns (third-person singular simple present fiddles while Rome burns, present participle fiddling while Rome burns, simple past and past participle fiddled while Rome burned or fiddled while Rome burnt)
- (idiomatic) 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.
Synonyms edit
Translations edit
to ignore the major problem
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