pass the time

Idioms  

1. Occupy oneself for an interval, as in The plane was six hours late but I passed the time reading a book .

2. 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]

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Example Sentences

Brianna Vasquez walked around a San Juan shopping mall Monday with her 13- and 7-year-old kids, trying to pass the time as they hoped for more affordable flights to open up.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I asked what they did to pass the time when they weren’t busy. He laughed and said, ‘Oh, I just keep them working.’”

From The Wall Street Journal

He tried to pass the time playing cards, watching TV and exercising.

From Los Angeles Times

To pass the time, they weaved bracelets and rings out of plastic bags and talked about their homeland.

From Los Angeles Times

Bored out of their minds, they riff on customers and even play hockey to pass the time.

From The Wall Street Journal