pass the time
idiom
: to let time or a period of time go by especially while doing something enjoyable
We played games to pass the time on the bus.
Examples of pass the time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The journey is made much easier for the crew by the opportunity to pass the time in cryosleep.
—
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025
To pass the time, detainees stared at the mountains in the distance and played soccer and dominoes.
—Edwidge Danticat, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
As the crowds awaited the start of the symphony, Josh Silverman, Mattel’s global head of consumer products and chief franchise officer, noticed more than one family playing a classic card game to pass the time before the amphitheater doors opened.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
For more short-term boredom, like waiting in line for a sandwich, Westgate says there’s nothing wrong with using your phone as entertainment to pass the time.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pass the time
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Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025
To pass the time, detainees stared at the mountains in the distance and played soccer and dominoes.
—Edwidge Danticat, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
As the crowds awaited the start of the symphony, Josh Silverman, Mattel’s global head of consumer products and chief franchise officer, noticed more than one family playing a classic card game to pass the time before the amphitheater doors opened.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
For more short-term boredom, like waiting in line for a sandwich, Westgate says there’s nothing wrong with using your phone as entertainment to pass the time.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pass the time
Cite this Entry
“Pass the time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pass%20the%20time. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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