PhrasesHub

On the fiddle

    Definitions

      • engaging in dishonest or fraudulent behavior, especially with regard to money or financial matters
        To accuse someone of cheating or swindling, often in a casual or informal way

      • wasting time or procrastinating
        To suggest that someone is not working or being productive, often in a joking or light-hearted manner

    Examples of On the fiddle

    • The sales executive was accused of being on the fiddle with the company financials.

      This idiom is commonly used to describe someone who is dishonestly manipulating financial records or data for personal gain. In this example, the sales executive is suspected of committing fraud by falsifying financial documents. The phrase "on the fiddle" implies that the person is cheating or being deceitful in their actions.

    • The politician's opponents claimed that he was on the fiddle during his time in office.

      In politics, this idiom can be used to accuse a public figure of being corrupt or involved in shady dealings. In this instance, the accusation suggests that the politician may have been taking bribes, accepting kickbacks, or engaging in other illicit activities while in office. The idiom emphasizes the idea that the person has been dishonestly manipulating the system for their own advantage.

    • The plumber was on the fiddle when he overcharged us for the repair job.

      This example illustrates the use of the idiom in a more everyday context. Here, it implies that the plumber has deliberately overcharged the speaker, either by inflating the price of the job or by charging for work that wasn't actually necessary. The phrase "on the fiddle" highlights the idea that the plumber has been cheating or being dishonest in his dealings with the speaker.

    • The musician was accused of being on the fiddle when he claimed to have sold more CDs than he actually had.

      In this example, the idiom is used to describe someone who is making false or exaggerated claims. In this instance, the musician may have claimed to have sold a large number of CDs, but it is subsequently discovered that his sales figures are inflated or inaccurate. The phrase "on the fiddle" refers to the idea that the musician has been dishonestly manipulating the truth in order to make himself appear more successful or profitable than he actually is.

    • The sales representative was caught on the fiddle, inflating the prices of his products to increase his commissions.

      "On the fiddle" is a British idiom that means "engaged in dishonest or fraudulent activity." In this example, the sales representative is deceitfully increasing the price of his products to earn higher commissions. This is considered fraudulent activity and is commonly known as "price gouging." The use of "on the fiddle" emphasizes the dishonesty and deceit involved in this practice.

    • The CEO of the company was accused of being on the fiddle with the company's finances, mismanaging funds and embezzling money.

      In this example, "on the fiddle" is used to describe the unlawful activity of a CEO who is accused of mismanaging funds and embezzling money from the company's finances. The use of this idiom highlights the deception and dishonesty involved in the CEO's actions, as well as the potential harm caused to the company and its shareholders.

    • The car mechanic was found to be on the fiddle, falsifying reports and charging customers for unnecessary repairs.

      This example uses "on the fiddle" to describe the actions of a car mechanic who is deceiving customers by charging them for repairs that are not needed. This can include falsifying reports or performing unnecessary repairs to increase his own profits. The use of this idiom emphasizes the dishonesty and deceit involved in the mechanic's actions, as well as the potential harm caused to the customers who are trusting him with their car repairs.

    • The accountant was caught red-handed on the fiddle, committing tax fraud and evading taxes.

      In this final example, "on the fiddle" is used to describe the actions of an accountant who is committing tax fraud and evading taxes. This can include false reporting, underreporting income, or hiding income in secret bank accounts. The use of this idiom emphasizes the deception and dishonesty involved in the accountant's actions, as well as the potential harm caused to the government and society as a whole. The use of the phrase "caught red-handed" adds an element of surprise and guilt to the situation, suggesting that the accountant is being caught in the act of committing fraud.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "on the fiddle" can be used to accuse someone of dishonest behavior, particularly in financial matters, or to jokingly suggest that someone is wasting time or not being productive.

    Origin of "On the fiddle"

    The origin of the idiom "on the fiddle" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in British slang. "Fiddle" in this context refers to fraudulent or dishonest behavior, and the idiom may have evolved from the idea of someone figuratively "playing" or manipulating something to their advantage. The use of "on the fiddle" to mean wasting time or not working may have developed as a playful extension of the original meaning, suggesting that someone is not "playing by the rules" in a more general sense. The idiom has been in use for many years and is still commonly used in British English today.

    Examples of the idiom "on the fiddle" can be found in literature, film, and everyday conversation, showing its enduring popularity and relevance.