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  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

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 Frank T. Bullen

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 Frank T. Bullen

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 Hal G. (Hal George) Evarts

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

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

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 Elizabeth Robins

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

You would just kill time while you waited for the other person to change into their costumes.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2023

Figuring he’d just stepped out for a minute—the crowds weren’t exactly kicking down his door—I wandered into the sanctuary to kill time checking out museum displays.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

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