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# meddle

verb (meddle, meddles, meddled, meddling)

«meddle» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To get involved in someone else's business when you are not wanted, and often make things worse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#m1)
2. To touch or fiddle with something you should leave alone: «don't meddle with the wires». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories, a meddler pokes their nose into other people's lives, like a nosy neighbour or a busybody aunt; meddling characters often cause trouble. In safety, «don't meddle with» electricity, gas or medicines. Phrases: «meddle in someone's affairs», «meddle with», «stop meddling». Famous line from cartoons: «those meddling kids» (Scooby-Doo).

### Examples

- Please don't meddle in our argument. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#x1)
- My little brother meddled with my model and broke it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#x2)
- Never meddle with electric sockets. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#x3)
- The nosy neighbour always meddles in other people's business. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#x4)
- «I would have got away with it, if it weren't for you meddling kids!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#x5)
- She meddled with the TV settings and now nothing works. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#x6)
- Grandma says it's best not to meddle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#x7)
- Countries should not meddle in other countries' elections. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/#x8)

### Note

Regular verb: meddled, meddling. Noun: meddler; adjective: meddlesome. Followed by «in» (affairs) or «with» (objects). Homophone: «medal» (a prize) – sounds the same, different meaning! Not a maths word.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Proverbs teaches people to avoid gossips and troublemakers. Tradition teaches that gossip, called lashon hara, is a serious sin. In the primary lessons: In stories, a meddler pokes their nose into other people's lives, like a nosy neighbour or a busybody aunt; meddling characters often cause trouble. In safety, «don't meddle with» electricity, gas or medicines. Phrases: «meddle in someone's affairs», «meddle with», «stop meddling». Famous line from cartoons: «those meddling kids» (Scooby-Doo).

### Examples

- He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips. (Writings PRO.20.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/meddle/#x1)
- My son, fear thou the LORD and the king, and meddle not with them that are given to change; (Writings PRO.24.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/meddle/#x2)
- Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and will thy heart lift thee up? glory therein, and remain at home; for why shouldest thou meddle with evil, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? (Prophets 2KI.14.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/meddle/#x3)

### Note

Regular verb: meddled, meddling. Noun: meddler; adjective: meddlesome. Followed by «in» (affairs) or «with» (objects). Homophone: «medal» (a prize) – sounds the same, different meaning! Not a maths word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «meddle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/meddle/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«meddle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/meddle.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «meddle» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/meddle/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«meddle» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/meddle.html) on Mova free.