shilly-shally

³shilly–shally

verb

shilly–shall·iedshilly–shally·ing

Definition of SHILLY-SHALLY

intransitive verb

1

: to show hesitation or lack of decisiveness or resolution

2

: dawdle

First Known Use of SHILLY-SHALLY

1754

Related to SHILLY-SHALLY

Synonyms: balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)

Antonyms: dive (in), plunge (in)

Related Words: haw, hem; dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait; back down, chicken (out); consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh; oscillate, sway; equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle

Near Antonyms: decide; budge, stir; advance, continue

see all synonyms and antonyms

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