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• kill-time
  kill-time

  noun
• kill time
  kill time

  Pass time aimlessly. For example, There was nothing to do, so I sat around killing time until dinner was ready. This idiom was first recorded about 1768.

kill-time

British  

noun

1. 1. an occupation that passes the time

   2. ( as modifier )

      kill-time pursuits

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kill time Idioms  

1. Pass time aimlessly. For example, There was nothing to do, so I sat around killing time until dinner was ready. This idiom was first recorded about 1768.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kill-time kill time

The wagon did not move on when the men had finished working the herd as the rest of the day had been set aside for kill-time.

From The Settling of the Sage by Evarts, Hal G. (Hal George)

Hardly had he embarked upon a little kill-time tour through the public rooms when he heard hurrying steps behind him, and turned to confront Nan Ellis.

From The Messenger by Robins, Elizabeth

"It's kill-time for the rest of the day," he stated.

From The Settling of the Sage by Evarts, Hal G. (Hal George)

As far as possible work was confined to the fore part of the ship, and beside the ordinary routine little was done but the plaiting of rope yarns into sennit—always a kill-time.

From The Log of a Sea-Waif Being Recollections of the First Four Years of My Sea Life by Bullen, Frank T.

What sailorizing was undertaken was in the nature of kill-time, and well understood as such by the men.

From The Log of a Sea-Waif Being Recollections of the First Four Years of My Sea Life by Bullen, Frank T.

It was a very nice way to kill time with grandma, and not much more.

From Salon ● Jun. 16, 2026

It's become the place where 2.5 billion people log on monthly to kill time, be entertained and, sometimes at least, learn something.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2025

It won’t make you feel better, but it will kill time.

From Slate ● Dec. 7, 2024

Twice a week, he would call, and twice a week, he would patiently kill time until his aging coach could answer.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2024

For me, fighting is just a way to kill time until I get my medical degree and begin my residency.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris