shilly-shally — shil•ly shal•ly [[t]ˈʃɪl iˌʃæl i[/t]] v. shal•lied, shal•ly•ing, 1) to show indecision or hesitation; vacillate 2) to waste time 3) indecision; vacillation 4) undecided; wavering • Etymology: 1690–1700; orig. repeated question, shall I? shall I?… … From formal English to slang
shilly-shally — shil|ly shal|ly [ˈʃıli ˌʃæli] v past tense and past participle shilly shallied present participle shilly shallying third person singular shillyshallies [i]informal [Date: 1700 1800; Origin: shall I?; probably influenced by dilly dally] to waste… … Dictionary of contemporary English
shilly-shally — shil|ly shal|ly [ ʃıli ,ʃæli ] verb intransitive INFORMAL to delay too long before making a decision … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Shill-I-shall-I — Shill I shall I, Shilly shally Shil ly shal ly, adv. [A reduplication of shall I.] In an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner. [1913 Webster] I am somewhat dainty in making a resolution, because when I make it, I keep it; I don t stand… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Shilly-shally — Shil ly shal ly, v. i. To hesitate; to act in an irresolute manner; hence, to occupy one s self with trifles. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Shilly-shally — Shil ly shal ly, n. Irresolution; hesitation; also, occupation with trifles. [1913 Webster] She lost not one of her forty five minutes in picking and choosing, no shilly shally in Kate. De Quincey. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Shilly-shally — Shill I shall I Shill I shall I, Shilly shally Shil ly shal ly, adv. [A reduplication of shall I.] In an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner. [1913 Webster] I am somewhat dainty in making a resolution, because when I make it, I keep it; I … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
shilly-shally — shilly shallier, n. /shil ee shal ee/, v., shilly shallied, shilly shallying, n., pl. shilly shallies, adj., adv. v.i. 1. to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate. 2. to waste time; dawdle. n. 3. irresolution; indecision;… … Universalium
shilly-shally — [shil′ē shal΄ē] adv. [redupl. of shall I? meaning “shall I or shall I not?”] Now Rare in a vacillating manner; irresolutely n. Now Rare vacillation or irresolution, esp. over a trivial matter vi. shilly shallied, shilly shallying to be… … English World dictionary
