How to Pronounce "fiddle while rome burns"
expression
ˈfɪdəɫ/ /ˈhwaɪɫ/, /ˈwaɪɫ/ /ˈɹoʊm/ /ˈbɝnz
FID-uhl while ROHM BERNZ
fˈɪdəl/ /wˈaɪl/ /rəʊm/ /bˈɜːnz
FID-uhl WYLE ROHM BERNZ
Definition
To do nothing, or focus on trivial things, while serious problems are happening; to ignore a major crisis.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈfɪdəɫ/ /ˈhwaɪɫ/, /ˈwaɪɫ/ /ˈɹoʊm/ /ˈbɝnz
British English
fˈɪdəl/ /wˈaɪl/ /rəʊm/ /bˈɜːnz
Simplified Pronunciation
US
FID-uhl while ROHM BERNZ
UK
FID-uhl WYLE ROHM BERNZ
Listen in Context
The boss just fiddles while Rome burns instead of fixing the problem.
The city leaders fiddled while Rome burned during the flood crisis.
She was accused of fiddling while Rome burned during the financial crash.
Politicians sometimes fiddle while Rome burns and ignore voters’ real needs.