diddle

Everyday

1. (informal, UK) To cheat someone, especially out of money, in a sneaky way. tree →
2. (informal) To waste time or fiddle about with something. tree →
3. In the nursery rhyme «Hey diddle diddle», it is a nonsense sound. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk, «I've been diddled» means «I've been cheated» or overcharged. In nursery rhymes, «Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle» is nonsense fun. Children should know that people who diddle others are being dishonest.

Examples

• The shop diddled us out of ten pounds. tree →
• Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle. tree →
• Stop diddling about and get ready! tree →
• I think I've been diddled; this toy is broken. tree →
• The con man diddled lots of old people. tree →
• He diddled with the radio knobs. tree →

Note

Informal; mostly British. Some slang senses in the USA can be rude, so avoid it in formal writing.