to show indecision or hesitation; be irresolute; vacillate.

to waste time; dawdle.

irresolution; indecision; vacillation

It was sheer shilly-shally on his part.

irresolute; undecided; vacillating.

irresolutely.

verb

dither , falter , halt , pause , stagger , vacillate , waver , wobble , be irresolute , blow hot and cold , dally , dawdle , dodge , fluctuate , hesitate , procrastinate , stall , trifle

adjective

halting , indecisive , irresolute , pendulous , tentative , timid , vacillant , vacillatory

noun

hesitancy , indecision , indecisiveness , irresoluteness , irresolution , pause , tentativeness , timidity , timidness , to-and-fro , vacillation