worth one's while

Idioms  

1. Merit one's time or efforts, as in It's hardly worth your while to count the transactions; it can be done by computer . [Late 1600s]

2. make something worth one's while . Compensate one for one's time or efforts, as in If you take care of our yard while we're away, I'll make it worth your while . [Mid-1800s] Both usages employ while in the sense of “a period of time spent.”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

worth one's while

“He believes that it is worth one’s while to pray, at any rate,” said Christie to herself; and all at once it flashed upon her that a part of her prayer had been answered.

From Christie Redfern's Troubles by Edward Barnard Lintott

She honestly liked Kesiah, though, in common with the rest of her little world, she had fallen into the habit of regarding her as a person whom it was hardly worth one's while to consider.

From The Miller Of Old Church by Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow

Well, one would need to read over and over to comprehend what she teaches, and"—reflectively—"I am not sure but what it would be well worth one's while.

From Katherine's Sheaves by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon

Then honor, integrity, kindness, generosity alone seem permanent and worth one's while.

From The Investment of Influence A Study of Social Sympathy and Service by Newell Dwight Hillis

Convince me that it is worth one's while to live.

From The Dreamer A Romantic Rendering of the Life-Story of Edgar Allan Poe by Mary Newton Stanard

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