on the fiddle
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Engaged in financially dishonest behaviour.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He can't possibly afford that house on his salary. He must be on the fiddle.
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).
Common questions
What does “on the fiddle” mean?
Engaged in financially dishonest behaviour.
Is “on the fiddle” formal or informal?
on the fiddle is generally slang.