What Does “Fit as a Fiddle” Mean? How to Use It When Writing

Wanting to be in good physical shape is something no one despises. But to put in the effort and time to achieve good health and an attractive physique is why not everyone’s got the perfect body or is in the pink of their health. You can also say the unhealthy folks are not as “fit as a fiddle”.

“Fit as a fiddle” means “in great health”. It doesn’t necessarily describe a person’s outward appearance. The phrase is typically used in texts to highlight health regained after an illness or an injury. The idiom usually has the word “as” preceding it and could be phrased as “fit like a fiddle”.

The term “fiddle” does not just mean “a violin”. If you’d like to know the word’s alternate meanings, how it adds value to the phrase, etc., continue reading.

“Fit as a Fiddle” – Meaning

The idiom “fit as a fiddle” means “healthy and strong” or “in optimal physical condition”. An individual who is “fit as a fiddle” is usually “full of energy”.

The noun “fiddle” denotes the stringed musical instrument, violin. It is a colloquial term for the device. The word’s verb form means “moving fingers or hands restlessly” on a stringed instrument or “spending time aimlessly”.

The word “fit”, on the other hand, did not always signify “energetic and healthy”, as it currently does. When the term was first coined, it meant “suitable” or “seemly”, as in “fit for purpose”.

Other phrases that could be used to denote “healthy” include “in shape”, “in good condition”, “in working order”, “up to snuff“, “wrapped tight”, etc. One-word alternate terms for the idiom include “able-bodied”, “sound”, “hale”, “blooming”, “wholesome”, etc.

Origin of the Phrase

The phrase “fit as a fiddle” is believed to be initially “fine as a fiddle”. In 1603, Thomas Dekker incorporated the expression in his book “The Batchelars Banquet”. Just over a decade later, in 1616, the saying got slightly modified as “fit as a fiddle”, courtesy of W. Haughton, who used the idiom in his literary work, “Englishmen for My Money”.

Kindly note, these ancient mentions are documented instances. In other words, there are chances of the phrase having been used earlier or more than 400 years ago.

Why is “Fit” Linked with “Fiddle”?

Though “fiddle” has become synonymous with violin, it originally meant “positive” or assumed that connotation. Therefore, comparing anything to “fiddle” was viewed as a compliment. And, as a further consequence, the “fit as a fiddle” expression meant to describe something like “proper” or “correct”.

The need to keep a “fiddle” in good condition always could also be the inspiration behind this phrase. Musical instruments – particularly flutes, violins, guitars, and similar stringed devices – necessitate a certain level of care and even treatment to remain in good physical and functional shape.

To ensure a violin stays in working condition, its strings should be replaced when they break. The tiny pegs should be tightened, and the instrument must be regularly cleaned to prevent the build-up of dust. Such maintenance helps keep the violin in excellent condition or ensures it stays “fit” for the job.

In other words, a well-maintained fiddle can be likened to the health of a person. Not to mention, “fit as a fiddle” has a good sound to it. “Fit as a flea” is another phrase that exists due to alliteration, besides other things.

Other Phrases with “Fiddle” in Them

A few other phrases that use the word “fiddle” include:

• A face as long as a fiddle (a facial expression that denotes misery or sadness). “She was sitting on the chair with her face as long as a fiddle.”
• On the fiddle (engaging in swindling or cheating). “They suspected she was on the fiddle throughout the period.”
• Play second fiddle (a subordinate role or position to something or someone). “Mary is always playing her sister’s second fiddle.”

And then there are quite a few sayings that focus on “fit”.

Phrases That Stress “Fitness”

As mentioned above, there are more than a handful of expressions that use the word “fit”, including:

• Fit for purpose (well-suited or well-equipped for a designated purpose or role)
• Survival of the fittest (one that’s strongest or adapts to situations the best survives or comes on top)
• Fit as a butcher’s dog (in good shape, very fit)
• Fit for a king (of extremely high quality)
• Fit the bill (being good enough for what’s needed)

Besides above, there are hundreds of two-word phrases with “fit” in them, such as “best fit”, “keep fit”, “match fit”, “sees fit”, “shrink fit”, “thinking fit”, “tight fit”, etc.

Using “Fit as a Fiddle” in Texts

The phrase is used to describe one’s physical health or comment on another person’s fitness levels. For example:

• I was feeling as fit as a fiddle that morning.
• She felt as fit as a fiddle that morning.
• I was unsure about his health after his long foreign trip, especially with the different climates and food he was exposed to. But I am glad to report it’s been a week since he returned, and there are no signs of illness or any health abnormality. He is as fit as a fiddle!

The expression is typically used in reference to individuals or people. It’s never used to describe inanimate objects, such as tools or appliances. For example, a smartphone that is in perfect condition or restored to its original state cannot be referred to as “fit as a fiddle”.

Can You Use “Fit as a Fiddle” in Formal Writings

Like most idioms, “fit as a fiddle” is not “fit” (no pun intended) to be used in more formal writing scenarios. It may, however, be used in verbal communications, even if the settings are not casual.

For example, a doctor ecstatic about their patient’s improved health could exclaim, “Your daughter is now as fit as a fiddle!” But if the doctor were to prepare a written report on the patient’s health, they would refrain from using the phrase or any other casual expression signifying “good health”.

Using phrases in medical reports or documents, academic essays, leave application letters, etc., won’t just come across as “not serious” but could also get misconstrued as “insincere”.

Then there’s the aspect of “conciseness” or “keeping it short”. Meandering constructs or descriptive phrases that replace a single word are usually not deemed “acceptable” in business or professional writing scenarios.

Other Popular Idioms

• Have Sticky Fingers
• Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Place
• Through Thick And Thin
• Hold Out An Olive Branch

Example Sentences with the Phrase “Fit as a Fiddle”

The following are sentences using the phrase “fit as a fiddle” correctly:

• My grandmother is close to 100 years old, yet she is as fit as a fiddle.
• He was ill the entire week. Now, thanks to some rest and medication, he is back to being as fit as a fiddle.
• Despite having slept late and partied all night, the players were as fit as a fiddle the next morning and ready for match action.
• After the much-needed vacation, I feel as fit as a fiddle now.
• Fresh out of college, she was as fit as a fiddle. A few years into her corporate career, she is not her healthy best anymore – thanks to long working hours and bad eating habits.
• That man is almost 60, but he sprints like he is in his 20s. He is as fit as a fiddle!
• Thanks to the surgery, climbing the stairs is no more a challenge for me. I feel fit as a fiddle again.
• After the routine check-up, the doctor concluded Jim was as fit as a fiddle.
• Jacob believes his regular exercising, healthy diet, and good sleeping schedule has helped him remain as fit as a fiddle for so long.
• She has not just recovered from the accident and is up on her feet again, but she is as fit as a fiddle.
• She is as fit as a fiddle, with some energy to spare too.
• I never fall ill. I am always fit as a fiddle.
• Why should I go to the gym?! I am as fit as a fiddle already.
• The doctors examined my health a couple of days ago, and they said I was as fit as a fiddle.
• I always thought I was as fit as a fiddle. The minor heart attack, however, was an eyeopener. I should not have taken my health for granted or assumed it would last forever.

As mentioned before, “fit as a fiddle” can also be written as “fit like a fiddle”. In the sentences above, for instance, you may replace “as” with “like”. That said, “fit as a fiddle” has a nicer ring to it.

Conclusion

Wordplay is no stranger to the English language. And you get to see a lot of that at work with its idioms, expressions, proverbs, etc. “Fit as a fiddle” is also one of those sayings that exist not just because they have semantic significance but also because they sound good as a pair. In other words, the adage fares well in the “phonetic” aspect as well.

“Fiddle” is not as familiar a term as “fit”. Only those who know a fair bit about the violin are likely to be acquainted with the word. Hopefully, this article not just introduced the term to people who weren’t aware of the term, but it also clearly explained what it refers to in the “fit as a fiddle” context of things and how to incorporate the idiom in texts.