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What does fiddle while Rome burns mean?

Looking for the meaning or definition of the word fiddle while Rome burns? Here's what it means.

Verb
  1. (idiomatic) To neglect helping when one’s time is needed most; to ignore the major problem at hand (whilst doing something less important); to be idle, inactive, or uninterested in a time of great need.
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Examples
The late Leo Strauss once said of men such as Ignatius that they fiddle while Rome burns, but that they are excused by two facts.
I see the Conservatives on Swindon Council have nothing better to do than fiddle while Rome burns.
We cannot just play the fiddle while Rome burns, we have to act.
To fiddle while Rome burns is neither new nor unique to our community.
To ignore the internal threat is to fiddle while Rome burns.

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