willy-nilly: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    Globalinformalcolloquial
    • In a random, haphazard, or disorderly manner; without planning or careful consideration.

    Examples

    Beta

    • We had to pack willy-nilly to catch the flight on time, throwing things into bags without much thought.

      We had to pack willy-nilly to catch the flight on time, throwing things into bags without much thought.

    • The kids scattered their toys willy-nilly across the room after a long day of play.

      The kids scattered their toys willy-nilly across the room after a long day of play.

    • She arranged the files willy-nilly on her desk, making it hard to find anything when needed.

      She arranged the files willy-nilly on her desk, making it hard to find anything when needed.

  • 2.

    Globalneutralidiomatic
    • Whether one likes it or not; inevitably or unwillingly.

    Examples

    Beta

    • Willy-nilly, the company had to comply with the new regulations or face penalties.

      Willy-nilly, the company had to comply with the new regulations or face penalties.

    • He was dragged willy-nilly into the argument even though he wanted to stay out of it.

      He was dragged willy-nilly into the argument even though he wanted to stay out of it.

    • Willy-nilly, we all have to face changes in life whether we like it or not.

      Willy-nilly, we all have to face changes in life whether we like it or not.

Examples:

  • EN: They say I give out detentions willy-nilly, but in 24 years as a teacher I have never given a single punishment.
    ES: Dicen que doy castigos al azar, sin embargo, en 24 años, puedo decir que nunca, haya dado un castigo.
  • EN: They say I give out detentions willy-nilly, but in 24 years as a teacher I have never given a single punishment.
    ES: Dicen que doy castigos al azar, sin embargo, en 24 años, puedo decir que nunca, haya dado un castigo.
  • EN: A willy-nilly when I roll my eyes
    ES: Quieran o no, cuando vuelvo la vista
  • EN: Poor Johnny One Note yelled willy-nilly Until he was blue in the face
    ES: ♪ "Johnny One Note" gritaba, lo quieras o no, hasta que se le ponía azul la cara ♪
  • EN: I hate willy-nilly.
    ES: Odio el "queramos o no".
  • EN: Not even dreams can be to develop willy-nilly!
    ES: Los sueños no pueden ser fomentados a la fuerza.
  • EN: But it won't work to do just anything willy-nilly.
    ES: Pero no consiste en hacer cualquier cosa.
  • EN: It's amazing how decisions are forced on you willy-nilly.
    ES: Es curioso cómo te obligan a tomar decisiones.
  • EN: I ran to Mindy's willy-nilly.
    ES: Corrí a lo de Mindy alocadamente.
  • EN: When you sell coffee, you willy-nilly see if your clients' wallets are underfed or nicely fed.
    ES: Cuando usted vende café, ...quieras o no, ves que clientes tienen las carteras mas gordas. - Si.
  • EN: And then you, willy-nilly, pinch it.
    ES: Y entonces, quiérase o no, lo desinflan.
  • EN: I mean, it's one thing if I don't feel like living anymore... but for somebody else to decide willy-nilly that I should be dead...
    ES: Una cosa es que no quiera vivir más. Pero otra cosa es que alguien decida que tengo que morir...
  • EN: You just can't willy-nilly eat okra two meals a day and expect to get away with it.
    ES: No puedes comer okra alegremente dos veces al día sin que haya consecuencias.
  • EN: You shoot willy-nilly!
    ES: Usted no sabe a quién dispara.
  • EN: - Traveling here and there, willy-nilly.
    ES: Viajando de allí por allá. De cualquier manera.
  • EN: I don't willy-nilly hand out syringes.
    ES: No entrego jeringas caprichosamente.

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

willy-nilly: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator