shilly-shally verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced American Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of shilly-shally verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

shilly-shally

verb

NAmE//ˈʃɪli ˌʃæli//

[intransitive] (informal) (disapproving)Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they shilly-shally

he / she / it shilly-shallies

past simple shilly-shallied

-ing form shilly-shallying

to take a long time to do something, especially to make a decision synonym dither Stop shilly-shallying and make up your mind.

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

See shilly-shally in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Check pronunciation: shilly-shally