eat up time

USAGE SUMMARY

"eat up time" is not a commonly used phrase in written English.
It may be better to say "consume time" or "take up time" instead. However, if you are using it in a colloquial or informal setting, it can still be understood. Example: "Stop chatting and get back to work, we don't want to eat up any more time."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It's a huge task, and this just seemed to eat up time.

The New York Times - Arts

"If you add another layer between the donor and the people who need the aid, does that eat up time?

The New York Times

Communication and consensus among geographically scattered heirs and executors eat up time and can hobble negotiations with the buyer.

The New York Times

What can really eat up time, though, is tweaking the scanner's many settings and adjustments to perfect your image.

The New York Times

They can take on simple functions that either eat up time or might require additional headcount that lean and nimble startup businesses don't want on their payroll.

The Guardian

The history of similar lawsuits suggests this one will not ultimately succeed, but it will eat up time, and until it is resolved, the building cannot be touched.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

They would plead lack of time (while eating up time by stalling).

The New York Times - Books

All of this eats up time and puts Wales in French territory.

The Guardian - Sport

I don't know that it's improved anything, it eats up time.

The Guardian - Tech

With time slipping away, he drifted to his left, eating up time the Eagles didn't have.

The New York Times - Sports

In his paper Justice Whelan argues that the use of Latin unnecessarily eats up time and money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing inefficient processes or activities, use "eat up time" to highlight how they needlessly prolong tasks.

Common error

While acceptable in general writing, be mindful that "eat up time" can sound informal in professional reports or academic papers. Choose more precise alternatives like "consume time" or "require significant time investment" for these settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "eat up time" functions primarily as a predicate within a sentence. It describes the action of something consuming or using a significant amount of time. The examples in Ludwig illustrate how various activities or processes can "eat up time".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eat up time" is a phrasal verb used to describe something that consumes a lot of time, often inefficiently. While grammatically acceptable and commonly used, it leans towards informality. Ludwig AI suggests it is better to use more precise alternatives like "consume time" or "take up time" in professional or academic contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources. Therefore, while "eat up time" is understood, consider your audience and the context when deciding whether to use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take up time

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym.

use up time

This alternative is a simple and direct synonym.

consume time

This alternative is more formal and neutral.

gobble up time

This alternative is more emphatic and less formal.

waste time

This alternative emphasizes the negative aspect of time being used inefficiently.

devour time

This alternative is a more figurative and dramatic way to describe time consumption.

squander time

This alternative suggests time is being carelessly lost.

encroach on time

This alternative suggests an unwelcome use of someone's time.

kill time

This alternative implies using time idly or without purpose.

deplete time

This alternative implies a reduction in the amount of available time.

FAQs

What does "eat up time" mean?

The phrase "eat up time" means to consume a significant amount of time, often in a way that is wasteful or inefficient. It suggests that something is taking longer than it should.

How can I use "eat up time" in a sentence?

You can use "eat up time" to describe activities or processes that are time-consuming. For example: "The endless meetings really "take up time" and reduce productivity."

What are some alternatives to "eat up time"?

Some alternatives to "eat up time" include "consume time", "take up time", "waste time", and "squander time". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "eat up time"?

Yes, "eat up time" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb. While Ludwig AI notes it's not the most common phrase in written English, it is widely understood and accepted, especially in informal contexts.