kɪl taɪm
Time
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- to murder or destroy time
What does "kill time" mean?
to do something unimportant while waiting for something else to happen
Examples
- I had two hours to kill before my flight, so I browsed the bookshop.
- He killed time by scrolling through social media while waiting for his appointment.
- We killed time playing cards until the rain stopped.
Origin
First recorded in English in the 18th century.
How to use it
Casual expression used when someone has nothing important to do and is simply waiting.
Similar expressions
pass the time
while away the hours
waste time
Opposites
make the most of time
use time wisely
Related idioms
- in the long run
Over a long period of time
- better late than never
It's better to do something late than not to do it at all
- from time to time
occasionally, not regularly
- in the nick of time
Just in time; at the last possible moment
- run out of time
to have no more time left to do something
- time flies when you're having fun
Enjoyable moments seem to pass quickly
Use it in a practice answer
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