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.
He plans to stay in Miami until Scotland knows its fate, and to pass the time in a much more pleasant way than watching other teams with clenched teeth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
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
It’s to pass the time and to have some fun.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
The 55-year-old, who was suspended by the Labour Party in October, was described by several constituents as someone who had "done a lot of good" and who you could pass the time of day with.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2025
It helps me pass the time and keeps my brain working.
From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks
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.
