shilly-shally

 
Pronunciation: /ˈʃɪlɪʃali/

verb (shilly-shallies, shilly-shallying, shilly-shallied)

[no object]
  • fail to act resolutely or decisively: the government shilly-shallied about the matter

noun

[mass noun]
  • indecisive behaviour: a no-nonsense lack of shilly-shally

Derivatives

shilly-shallyer

(also shilly-shallier) noun

Origin:

mid 18th century: originally as shill I, shall I, reduplication of shall I?