Etymology Journal ยท E
Enough of the dilly-dally
Meaning
- A noun-based variation used to signal that the time for fooling around is over. It is the polite but firm way to demand focus.
Stern, parental
Used in a sentence
- That is enough of the dilly-dally, let us pack the car.
- I have had enough of the dilly-dally regarding this budget proposal.
- The boss said enough of the dilly-dally and get back to the assembly line.
The backstory
Like its verbal counterpart, it comes from the playful doubling of dally to emphasize the act of loitering or dragging one's feet.
Heard in
Nationwide
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