killing time

The phrase "killing time" refers to engaging in activities to make time pass more quickly, often while waiting for something specific.

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Definition

B2Everyday Life

(informal)Engaging in activities to make time pass more quickly, often while waiting for something specific.

Example

  • He was killing time by playing games on his phone while waiting for his appointment.
  • She read a book to kill time before her flight.

B2Everyday Life

(informal)Spending time in a way that is not productive or purposeful to alleviate boredom.

Example

  • They were just killing time, chatting and sipping coffee at the café.
  • I watched a movie to kill time before meeting my friends.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "killing time":

make timeholding timemissing timekeep timegood timehave timeborrowed timeagainst timelive timeno timespend time