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pass the time
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.
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.
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]