Idiom Series: Mythology and History- Fiddling While Rome Burns

Welcome to the Idiom Series: Mythology and History!

Today, the idiom is ''Fiddling while Rome burns''.  Let's look at the full meaning of this idiom:

Fiddling refers to the act of playing a fiddle.  This idiom refers to the infamous burning of Rome in which a fire destroyed the city over a period of 6 days.  There is a story (many believe is untrue, but it's popular nonetheless) that the Roman emperor Nero played the lyre during the burning of Rome, completely neglecting his leadership duties.

We use the term today to convey the idea of making yourself busy with unimportant matters and neglecting priorities during a crisis.

The lobbyists aren't doing anything to stop this tax bill.  They're fiddling while Rome burns.

In this sentence, it is understood that the lobbyists are supposed to be trying to stop a tax bill from passing in Congress, but instead they are doing other unimportant or frivolous thing and neglecting their real responsibilities.

Can you think of a clever way to use this new idiom?  Leave it in the comments below, and tell me in our next class!