English · Phrasal verb Attested

fiddle with

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To manipulate or toy with (an object), especially in a nervous, restless or aimless manner.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

manip hoặc chơi đùa với một vật

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Stop fiddling with your food!

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To tinker with: to make small adjustments or improvements to (something), especially in an experimental or unskilled manner.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

vận dụng hoặc điều chỉnh nhỏ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To manipulate in order to gain something for oneself.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

manip để đạt được lợi ích

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

What does “fiddle with” mean?

To manipulate or toy with (an object), especially in a nervous, restless or aimless manner.

Is “fiddle with” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.