"Fiddle about" is a phrase used to describe aimless or unproductive activity. There are many synonyms for this expression, including dawdle, dilly-dally, loaf, loiter, and putter. These words all convey a sense of wasted time or ineffective action. Other synonyms for "fiddle about" might include waste time, procrastinate, or tinker, each of which implies an absence of purpose or focus. When someone is "fiddling about," they are often seen as being idle or even lazy. Thus, it is important to use these alternative expressions judiciously, as they can have negative connotations.