Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Graham, a twice divorced 40-year-old who has been idling since his mother’s death six months earlier, might seem to be the definition of what Tanya’s guru calls a PWP: a partner without prospects.

From New York Times • May 23, 2017

Also at Chelsea, the defender David Luiz has encouraged the club to spend big to bring Falcao from Atlético Madrid, where he has been idling in obscurity since his 1986 No1 smash Rock Me Amadeus.

From The Guardian • Nov. 16, 2012

In its first three episodes, it has been idling around mediocrity, occasionally pulling out a cute, zippy or cutting sequence, and more often delivering a smug, condescending, or self-righteous one.

From Salon • Jul. 16, 2012

For months, a vintage Chronographe Suisse wristwatch he's been meaning to restore has been idling in a drawer of his workbench, its insides partly disassembled.

From Los Angeles Times

Lucinda's faculties clicked together then as gears mesh when the motor has been idling; the call of the emergency met with response in the form of instant and direct action.

From Linda Lee, Incorporated A Novel by Vance, Louis Joseph