What does it mean when a person is willy nilly?

What does it mean when a person is willy nilly?

Definition of willy-nilly 1 : by compulsion : without choice. 2 : in a haphazard or spontaneous manner.

Is Willy Nilly an idiom?

1 do something whether you want to or not: She was forced willy-nilly to accept the company's proposals. 2 do something in a careless way without planning: Don't just use your credit card willy-nilly. This expression is a shortened form of 'willing or not willing'.

Where does phrase willy nilly come from?

Q: The first citation for “willy-nilly” in the Oxford English Dictionary is from 1608. The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology says it's a contraction of “will I, nill I” or “will he, nill he” or “will ye, nill ye.” The word “nill” is from the Old English “nyllan,” a combination of “ne” (no) and “willan” (will).

How do you use willy nilly?

without having a choice.

1. He found himself drawn, willy-nilly, into the argument.
2. The government were dragged willy-nilly into the confrontation.
3. Both sides were drawn, willy-nilly, into the conflict.
4. She was forced willy-nilly to accept the company's proposals.
5. They all had to take part, willy-nilly.

What is the meaning of shilly?

: to show hesitation or lack of decisiveness or resolution.

What is the word hokum mean?

nonsense Definition of hokum 1 : a device used (as by showmen) to evoke a desired audience response. 2 : pretentious nonsense : bunkum.

What's a Klondike?

Klondikenoun. A source of wealth or something else valuable. Etymology: From Klondike, a region in the Yukon territory of Canada that saw a gold rush.

Is it willy nilly or will he nill he?

“Will” means to wish for something—to “will” something—and “nill” means not to will something. The phrase has since evolved into the single word “willy-nilly,” which we use to describe actions performed in a disorganized, chaotic, or random manner.

What is short and sweet?

Definition of short and sweet : pleasantly brief : not lasting a long time or requiring a lot of time That's the way we like the meetings—short and sweet. I've got a few announcements, but I'll keep it short and sweet.

How do you use chit chat in a sentence?

Chit-chat sentence example

1. Make the most of your chit-chat. ...
2. Do not use the forums for personal chit chat . ...
3. He tried to make chit chat during the ride, but she wouldn't say a word. ...
4. Just business—I mouthed off about everybody, he just listened—and some chit-chat.

How can willy nilly be used in a sentence?

• He found himself drawn,willy-nilly,into the argument.
• The government were dragged willy-nilly into the confrontation.
• Both sides were drawn,willy-nilly,into the conflict.
• She was forced willy-nilly to accept the company's proposals.
• They all had to take part,willy-nilly.
• Companies were accused of raising prices willy-nilly.

What does Willy Nilly mean in Australia?

• Willy nilly is a phrase that means something to the effect of "haphazard or random," e.g. We ran around willy nilly trying to prepare last-minute for Susan's birthday.

What does the name nilly mean?

• The name Nilly has the following meaning: "He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind". The name Nili is an acronym of this phrase, which is taken from the book of 1 Samuel 15:29. This name was used by a Jewish espionage group, established during World War I.