dally

/ˈdæli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdæli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈda-lē/ (ame, mw)

dally — verb

  • dallypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dallieshe / she / it
  • dalliedpast simple
  • dallying-ing form

1. to move or proceed in an unhurried, wandering way that holds others up, or to de

1.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to move or proceed in an unhurried, wandering way that holds others up, or to delay a decision by lingering over small things instead of getting on with the matter.

例句

Dario kept dallying over breakfast while the rest of the family waited in the car.

dally over + activity noun

Stop dallying in the bookshop, Owen — the train leaves in fifteen minutes.

imperative scolding for slow behaviour

同義詞
  • dawdle

    near-synonym, slightly more everyday; describes slow walking or eating.

  • linger

    neutral; emphasises staying somewhere rather than wasted time.

  • tarry

    literary or archaic; same core meaning but rarely heard in speech.

  • procrastinate

    narrower — specifically about postponing a task, not about being slow in motion.

反義詞
  • hurry

    directly opposite — to move or act with speed.

  • press on

    phrasal; to keep going without pausing.

文法句型

dally over + noun

dally with + noun

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person, or a slow-moving group such as a committee or board. Often appears in scoldings or warnings, especially the bare imperative 'Don't dally'.

常見錯誤

❌He dallied the homework for two hours.
✅He dallied over the homework for two hours.
💡'dally' is intransitive; use 'over' or 'with' to introduce the activity.

2. to play with an idea, a feeling, or a person in a casual way that does not show

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to play with an idea, a feeling, or a person in a casual way that does not show real commitment, often as a passing amusement.

例句

Mauricio dallied with the idea of opening a bakery before settling on law school.

dally with + idea/plan noun

Reviewers accused Élise of dallying with politics rather than taking a clear stand in her novel.

formal accusation: dally with + abstract topic

同義詞
  • toy

    common informal alternative; 'toy with an idea' is more frequent than 'dally with an idea'.

  • flirt

    narrower; usually about romantic interest or a brief curiosity about something risky.

  • trifle

    literary; stronger sense of careless disregard, especially trifle with someone's feelings.

反義詞
  • commit to

    phrasal; to take something seriously and stick with it.

文法句型

dally with + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is never about physical slowness. The object after 'with' is an idea, an emotion, or a person treated as a passing interest, not an activity being dragged out.

常見錯誤

❌She dallied her sister's feelings.
✅She dallied with her sister's feelings.
💡the preposition 'with' is required when introducing what is being toyed with.
❌He dallied with the report all morning.' (meaning he worked on it slowly)
✅He dallied over the report all morning.
💡'dally with' implies casual playing, not slow working.