fritter away

Idioms and Phrases

Squander or waste little by little; wear down gradually. For example, She frittered away her salary on odds and ends and saved nothing . This expression was first recorded in Alexander Pope's Dunciad (1728): “How prologues into prefaces decay, And these to notes are fritter'd quite away.”

Example Sentences

They fear the worst, dread failure, dampen their own confidence, and therefore fritter away their own energy.

From Project Gutenberg

I repeat that you fritter away your talents and your opportunities upon this miserable task-work on a journal.

From Project Gutenberg

Do not fritter away strength in trifles; begin at once upon the duties which call for instant obedience.

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed to him a little like 'babying' to fritter away the few minutes remaining in safety play.

From Project Gutenberg

It is so much nobler to work than it is to fritter away a life doing nothing.

From Project Gutenberg