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pass the time

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pass the time (of day)

to spend time doing something; to consume or use spare time by doing something. I read to pass the time while waiting in the doctor's office. I passed the time of day by talking to Dave.

See also: pass, time

pass the time

to do something to keep busy while waiting While she was home with a broken leg, she passed the time reading, listening to music, and writing letters.

See also: pass, time

pass the time

1. Occupy oneself for an interval, as in The plane was six hours late but I passed the time reading a book.

2. pass the time of day. Exchange greetings, engage in pleasantries, chat, as in Whenever I met her we would stop to pass the time of day. [First half of 1800s]

See also: pass, time