verb / noun
fiddle
Small, restless, or experimental adjustments.
He fiddles with the loose latch until the gate finally closes.
Etymology
The verb associated with playing a fiddle developed a broader sense of busy hand movement. It came to describe small adjustments or restless handling, often without a decisive result.
More examples
- Stop fiddling with the radio buttons.
- A little fiddle with the settings improved the sound.
- She was fiddling with her necklace during the interview.
Forms
fiddle · fiddles · fiddled · fiddling