Time sink

USAGE SUMMARY

"time sink" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to an activity or task that consumes a lot of time without producing significant results or benefits. Example: "Social media can be a major time sink if you're not careful with how much time you spend scrolling through your feeds." Another example: "I realized that cooking dinner from scratch every day was becoming a time sink, so I started meal prepping on Sundays to save time during the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

That's a time sink.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I hope not, because it's a huge time sink.

The New Yorker

It's a hateful time sink for the most part and very inefficient.

The Guardian

"It's been a massive time sink in the office," admits Rutter.

The Guardian - Tech

Huge time sink potential.

TechCrunch

Best Time Sink (2010: Cityville).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Any action, in the fullness of time, sinks to nothing".

The Guardian - Books

He would have a hard time sinking a 3-point shot from the front door to the back.

The New York Times

But then this mysterious prototype for Moby Dick himself came back and rammed the ship a second time, sinking it.

The New York Times - Books

E-mail and Internet surfing are time sinks.

Science Magazine

The real competition, he says, are platforms like YouTube and other time sinks for content creators.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project management or productivity, use "Time sink" to clearly identify activities that detract from overall efficiency. For example, “meetings without clear agendas became a significant time sink for the team.”

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something a "Time sink" without explaining why it's unproductive. Provide specific details about what makes the activity inefficient. For example, instead of saying "Email is a time sink", specify "Responding to unnecessary emails is a time sink that could be better spent on project tasks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Time sink" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to describe something that consumes a lot of time without providing significant benefits. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Tech

31%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Huffington Post

2%

The New York Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Time sink" is a common and accepted term used to describe something that consumes a disproportionate amount of time relative to its value. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across various domains. Its primary function is to highlight inefficiency, often with a negative connotation. While suitable for various contexts, being more specific can provide a better insight in more formal environments, however, it is most frequent in News & Media and Tech contexts. When employing "Time sink" in writing, make sure you contextualize exactly which factors determine a lack of productivity, such as a lack of planning or excessive complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Waste of time

Focuses more directly on the lack of value derived from the time spent.

Dead time

Implies unproductive or useless time.

Time drain

Highlights the gradual loss of time to something.

Unproductive activity

Shifts the focus to the lack of output or progress.

Time-consuming task

Emphasizes the duration required for the task.

Endless task

Highlights a frustrating task that will never end.

Black hole of time

Emphasizes that the time you invest in that task will be lost.

Mundane chore

Highlights the lack of interesting aspects of the task.

Pointless endeavor

Highlights a frustrating task that will never end.

Activity with diminishing returns

Highlights the imbalance between time spent and results obtained.

FAQs

How can I use "Time sink" in a sentence?

You can use "Time sink" to describe an activity or task that consumes a lot of time without providing substantial value. For example, "Social media can be a major "time sink" if you're not careful" or "The project turned into a "time sink" due to poor planning".

What are some alternatives to "Time sink"?

Alternatives include "waste of time", "time drain", or "unproductive activity". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "Time sink" formal or informal?

"Time sink" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "inefficient process" or "unproductive task".

What makes something a "Time sink"?

Something becomes a "Time sink" when the amount of time spent on it is disproportionate to the value or results gained. This can be due to inefficiency, unnecessary complexity, or lack of focus.