kill time

/kɪl taɪm/

spend time idly

We killed time at the airport by playing cards.

We spent the waiting time at the airport playing cards to avoid boredom.

◆ What It Really Means

to spend time idly or unproductively to avoid boredom

¶ Literal Meaning

to cause time to stop or become inactive

Literal Breakdown

killto cause the end of something+timethe duration of existence

◇ Mental Image

The phrase evokes the idea of 'destroying' or 'neutralizing' the burden of waiting by filling it with trivial activities, as if time itself is being 'killed' to make it less oppressive.

◈ When to Use

A traveler waiting for a delayed flight might say, 'I killed time by reading a magazine.' The activity (reading) is minor and the goal is to make the waiting period less tedious.

◉ Cultural Note

The phrase reflects a cultural emphasis on productivity and efficiency, where even minor activities are framed as ways to 'conquer' or 'overcome' the tedium of waiting.

informal

to spend time doing something unimportant or unproductive to avoid being bored

She killed time by scrolling through social media while waiting for the train.

She passed the time by looking at social media while waiting for the train.

They killed time in the park by reading books and chatting.

They spent the hours in the park reading and talking to avoid boredom.

Often implies filling time with minor activities rather than meaningful tasks.

Collocations

kill time by doing somethingspend time doing something to pass the time

Synonyms

pass the time while away occupy oneself idle away

Antonyms

use time productively make good use of time

Related Phrases

pass the timephrase

spend time in a way that makes it seem shorter or less boring

while awayphrase

spend time in a relaxed or leisurely way

Pro Tip

Avoid overusing

While 'kill time' is common, using it too often can make speech sound repetitive. Alternatives like 'pass the time' or 'occupy oneself' can add variety.

Gold Rule

Context matters

Use 'kill time' only when the activity is minor and the goal is to avoid boredom. It’s not suitable for productive or meaningful use of time.

Word Origin

The phrase dates back to the late 19th century. 'Kill' here is used metaphorically to mean 'to make inactive or neutralize,' implying that time is being neutralized or made less burdensome by occupying it with trivial activities.

Usage Notes

Common in casual conversation but can sound slightly informal in professional settings. Often used when waiting for something unavoidable, like a delay or appointment.

Word Breakdown

kill

to make inactive or neutralize (metaphorical use)

verb

time

the indefinite continued progress of existence

noun

English Dictionary

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