fiddle with
phrasal verb
fiddled with; fiddling with; fiddles with
1
: to move or handle (something) with the hands or fingers in a nervous way
She was nervously fiddling with her pencil as she waited for the test to start.
2
: to change or handle (something, such as the controls of a machine) in a way that shows one is not sure what to do
He was fiddling with the controls of the television, trying to get it to work.
3
: to change (something) in a harmful or foolish way
It became clear that someone had fiddled with the equipment.
Examples of fiddle with in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Conceivably, some of these concerns could be resolved by pooling the money in the accounts, by fiddling with the tax code, and by encouraging employers of the account holders’ parents to make additional contributions to them.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
The final decision While the commission deliberated behind closed doors, Schneider paced the hall, fiddled with his phone, and stared into nowhere.
—Virginia Bridges, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025
Here are some tips on how to shoot the Northern Lights:
A good setup
Before fiddling with your phone, take a few other steps to improve your chances of getting a good shot.
—Kelvin Chan, Denver Post, 2 June 2025
Edmonton fiddled with who to start in goal, Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard, right to the end.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fiddle with
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John Cassidy, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
The final decision While the commission deliberated behind closed doors, Schneider paced the hall, fiddled with his phone, and stared into nowhere.
—Virginia Bridges, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025
Here are some tips on how to shoot the Northern Lights:
A good setup
Before fiddling with your phone, take a few other steps to improve your chances of getting a good shot.
—Kelvin Chan, Denver Post, 2 June 2025
Edmonton fiddled with who to start in goal, Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard, right to the end.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fiddle with
Cite this Entry
“Fiddle with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiddle%20with. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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