fiddle while Rome burns
US /ˈfɪd.əl waɪl roʊm bɜrnz/
UK /ˈfɪd.əl waɪl roʊm bɜrnz/
1.
to occupy oneself with a trivial matter while neglecting a serious crisis
:
•
The CEO was accused of fiddling while Rome burned as the company faced bankruptcy.
•
Instead of addressing the climate crisis, some politicians continue to fiddle while Rome burns.