pass the time
Idioms-
Occupy oneself for an interval, as in The plane was six hours late but I passed the time reading a book .
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pass the time of day . Exchange greetings, engage in pleasantries, chat, as in Whenever I met her we would stop to pass the time of day . [First half of 1800s]
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.
You’ve heard of doomscrolling on your phone to pass the time — but what about “doomjobbing” while looking for work?
From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026
For example, if you hate your commute to work, try leaving earlier to avoid traffic or play a podcast or audio book to pass the time.
From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026
It’s often too hot to go outside, so people pass the time inside, wandering the converted hangars or browsing on their phones.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025
It also suggests having passports open and ready before Border Control, in addition to carrying snacks or entertainment to pass the time.
From BBC • Dec. 19, 2024
Olka had explained she was not stealing, merely borrowing the book to pass the time as she cleaned.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
