fiddle
verb
informal uk/ˈfɪdl/ us [ T ]
to change figures dishonestly, often in order to get more money:
fiddle your overtime/expenses The report criticised officers who fiddled their overtime and tax inspectors who received tax-free bonuses.
[ I ]
to change something very slightly:
fiddle with sth If you fiddle with the figures in the investment column, you should be able to get your budget to balance.
fiddle the books
to dishonestly change a company's accounts or financial records:
fiddled the books
fiddle
noun [ C ]
informal uk/ˈfɪdl/ ussomething dishonest that is done in order to get money:
tax/expenses/insurance fiddle A year later, he changed the rule, on the grounds that it was being used as a tax fiddle.
on the fiddle
involved in dishonest behaviour, usually to get money:
One in two holidaymakers claiming for lost luggage could be on the fiddle, claims a leading travel insurance firm.
play second fiddle to sb/sth
to be seen as less important than another person or thing:
There were times when security seemed to play second fiddle to how the security company wanted to present itself to the world.