Rome

all roads lead to Rome

The same outcome can be reached by many methods or ideas. This phrase refers to the road system of the Roman Empire, in which Rome was positioned in the center, with every road attached to it. All roads lead to Rome, so you can approach the puzzle any way you like, as long as you solve it.

All roads lead to Rome.

Prov. There are many different routes to the same goal. Mary was criticizing the way that Jane was planting the flowers. John said, "Never mind, Mary, all roads lead to Rome." Some people learn by doing. Others have to be taught. In the long run, all roads lead to Rome.

fiddle while Rome burns

Fig. to do nothing or something trivial while knowing that something disastrous is happening. (From a legend that the Roman emperor Nero played the lyre while Rome was burning.) The lobbyists don't seem to be doing anything to stop this tax bill. They're fiddling while Rome burns.

Rome was not built in a day.

Prov. It takes a lot of time to achieve something important. Professor: When will you finish your research project? Student: It'll take me a while. Rome wasn't built in a day, you know.

When in Rome(, do as the Romans do).

Prov. Behave however the people around you behave. Adapt yourself to the customs of the places you visit. Jill: Everyone in my new office dresses so casually. Should I dress that way, too? Jane: By all means. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

fiddle while Rome burns

to spend time enjoying yourself or doing things that are not important when you should be dealing with a serious problem

Usage notes: This phrase comes from a story about the Roman emperor Nero, who fiddled (= played the violin) while the city of Rome was burning.

Environmentalists claim that the government is fiddling while Rome burns.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

something that you say which means that it takes a long time to do an important job 'Sometimes it feels like we've spent all our lives decorating this house.' 'Well, Rome wasn't built in a day.'

When in Rome (do as the Romans do).

something that you say which means when you are visiting another country, you should behave like the people in that country I don't drink wine when I'm at home but on holiday, well, when in Rome...

See fiddle while Rome burns

all roads lead to Rome

Many different methods will produce the same result. For example, So long as you meet the deadline, I don't care how much help you get-all roads lead to Rome . Based on the fact that the Roman Empire's excellent road system radiated from the capital like the spokes of a wheel, this metaphor was already being used in the 1100s.

fiddle while Rome burns

Occupy oneself with unimportant matters and neglect important ones during a crisis. For example, The account was falling through, but he was more worried about missing his golf game-talk about fiddling while Rome burns! This expression alludes to the legend that the Emperor Nero played his fiddle while watching the conflagration of Rome. [Mid-1600s]

Rome wasn't built in a day

Important work takes time. This expression functions as an injunction or plea for someone to be patient. For example, You can't expect her to finish this project in the time allotted; Rome wasn't built in a day . This phrase was a French proverb in the late 1100s but was not recorded in English until 1545.

when in Rome do as the Romans do

Follow local custom, as in Kate said they'd all be wearing shorts or blue jeans to the outdoor wedding, so when in Rome-we'll do the same . This advice allegedly was Saint Ambrose's answer to Saint Augustine when asked whether they should fast on Saturday as Romans did, or not, as in Milan. It appeared in English by about 1530 and remains so well known that it is often shortened, as in the example.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Alvin	['ælvin]
Vahid	-	Persian
Opal	O-pəl	English
Ranjeet	-	Indian, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali
Nadia (1)	NAD-yə (English), NAHD-yə (English)	French, English, Italian, Russian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian
Livnat	-	Hebrew