fiddle while Rome burns

Etymology
From the ancient rumour that the Roman emperor Nero played a lyre whilst the city of Rome was burning.

Verb

 * 1)  To neglect helping when one’s time is needed most; to ignore the major problem at hand (whilst doing something less important); to be idle, inactive, or uninterested in a time of great need.

Translations

 * Finnish: haaskata aikaa kun olisi tärkeämpääkin tekemistä
 * Greek: εδώ ο κόσμος καίγεται και το μουνί χτενίζεται
 * Macedonian: село гори, баба се чешла
 * Polish: nie zajmować się problemem