to cheat or swindle someone out of something, especially money, to waste time or procrastinate, to fiddle with something in a nervous or aimless way

diddle around, diddle with, diddle out of

Formal and Informal Expressions of diddle

In different contexts, you can replace 'diddle' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'defraud' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'rip off, scam' is a commonplace synonym.

diddle: Explore its Definition & Usage

diddle Definition

1to cheat or swindle someone out of something, especially money
2to waste time or procrastinate
3to fiddle with something in a nervous or aimless way

Using diddle: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "diddle" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
He diddled me out of my money.
Example
Stop diddling around and get to work!
Example
She nervously diddled with her hair during the interview.

diddle Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for diddle

Phrases with diddle

diddle around
to waste time or procrastinate
Example
I can't afford to diddle around all day, I have work to do.
diddle with
to fiddle with something in a nervous or aimless way
Example
She absentmindedly diddled with her pen while on the phone.
diddle out of
to cheat or swindle someone out of something, especially money
Example
He diddled me out of my life savings.

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Summary: diddle in Brief

The verb 'diddle' [ˈdɪdl] has three main meanings: cheating or swindling someone out of something, wasting time or procrastinating, and fiddling with something in a nervous or aimless way. It is often used in phrases like 'diddle around,' meaning to waste time, and 'diddle with,' meaning to fiddle with something. 'Diddle out of' refers to cheating or swindling someone out of something, especially money.