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shilly-shallying

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shil·ly-shal·ly  (shl-shl)
intr.v. shil·ly-shal·lied (-ld), shil·ly-shal·ly·ing, shil·ly-shal·lies (-lz)
1. To procrastinate.
2. To be unable to come to a decision; vacillate.
3. To spend time on insignificant things; dawdle.
adj.
Hesitant; vacillating.
n. pl. shil·ly-shal·lies
Procrastination; hesitation.
adv.
In a hesitant manner; irresolutely.
[Reduplication of the question shall I?]
shilly-shalli·er n.
Translations
shilly-shallying [ˈʃɪlɪˌʃælɪɪŋ] N → vacilación f, titubeos mpl


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Mrs Crick congratulated Tess on the shilly-shallying having at last come to an end, and said that directly she set eyes on Tess she divined that she was to be the chosen one of somebody who was no common outdoor man; Tess had looked so superior as she walked across the barton on that afternoon of her arrival; that she was of a good family she could have sworn.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles - A Pure Woman by Hardy, Thomas View in context
The constable, who had been chewing a straw all this while with great philosophy, replied that if they went away at once they would have time enough, but that if they stood shilly-shallying there, any longer, they must go straight to the Mansion House; and finally expressed his opinion that that was where it was, and that was all about it.
The Old Curiosity Shop by Dickens, Charles View in context
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