drain of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drain of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or activity that consumes a lot of time without yielding significant results or benefits. Example: "The endless meetings felt like a drain of time, leaving us with little progress on our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The simplicity of the message — how energy and exuberance swirl down the drain of time — is striking.

The New Yorker

Real rebels are rarely anything but second rate outside their rebellion; the drain of time and temper is ruinous to any other accomplishment.

Forbes

It's time to stop the drain of time and income that make New York such a tough place for working families to live.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In this story, that giant sucking sound you hear is the draining of time and energy from the core business by tempting almost-related opportunities.

Harvard Business Review

And, while these can be seen as analogous to the chapters of a novel, viewing began to feel self-indulgent and draining of time and concentration after three episodes in a row.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That yearlong migraine had drained us of time, emotion and money at a time when we had little enough to spare.

The New York Times

Part of her that would love to drag the Neanderthals of McCann through court -- they more than deserve it -- but that would end up draining her of time, mental energy and money, and they know that.

Huffington Post

The garden contains crystalline flowers at the tops of whose stems are goblet-shaped blossoms, which when snapped from the stem, drain the garden of time and motion.

BBC

Locate your drain plugs ahead of time.

WikiHow

The atmosphere in the apartment is sullen and empty; there is a sense of time draining away.

The Guardian - Arts

Instead it drained a tremendous amount of time and effort from a consultant, a researcher, and a staff associate and it prevented us from taking on more promising work that appeared halfway through the job.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drain of time" to succinctly describe activities or situations that waste or consume a significant amount of time without producing worthwhile results.

Common error

While "drain of time" is a valid phrase, avoid overusing it in contexts where simpler alternatives like "waste of time" or "time-consuming" would be more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drain of time" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound, typically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition, describing something that consumes or wastes time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drain of time" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe activities or situations that consume a lot of time without yielding significant benefits. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's not as common as alternatives like "waste of time". The phrase is generally neutral in tone, leaning toward formal, and can be found in news, scientific, and general contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether a simpler, more direct alternative might be more effective for your audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Wastage of time

Focuses on the unproductive use of time, implying a loss or squandering of valuable moments.

Loss of time

Emphasizes the deprivation of time, whether through inefficiency or external factors.

Time sink

Highlights activities or situations that consume excessive amounts of time with little return.

Expenditure of time

Implies a careful and deliberate allocation of time, often toward a specific purpose.

Consumption of time

Stresses the using up of time, as if it were a resource being depleted.

Attrition of time

Focuses on the gradual diminishing or wearing away of time, often due to external factors.

Squandering of time

Highlights the careless and wasteful use of time, often implying regret or missed opportunities.

Depletion of time

Emphasizes the reduction of available time, as if a finite resource is being used up.

Erosion of time

Highlights the gradual and insidious loss of time, often due to neglect or inefficiency.

Dissipation of time

Emphasizes the scattering or wasteful spreading of time, often due to a lack of focus or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "drain of time" in a sentence?

You can use "drain of time" to describe something that consumes a lot of time without providing much benefit. For example: "The endless meetings were a "drain of time", and we accomplished very little."

What are some alternatives to "drain of time"?

Alternatives include "waste of time", "time-consuming", or "time sink". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "drain of time" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "drain of time" is not as frequently used as simpler alternatives like "waste of time". It's appropriate in formal writing but may sound slightly elevated in casual conversation.

When is it best to use "drain of time" instead of "waste of time"?

"Drain of time" is suitable when you want to emphasize the gradual or continuous loss of time, suggesting that it's being slowly depleted. "Waste of time" is a more general term for unproductive time use.