kill time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kill time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of engaging in an activity in order to pass the time. For example, "I was bored so I decided to kill time by watching some TV."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To kill time, music played.

The New Yorker

I'm not going out there just trying to kill time.

The New York Times

He is unemployed and goes there to kill time.

The Economist

These are films in which people simply kill time, delightfully.

The Guardian - Film

What is there to do, he says - kill time?

The Guardian - Film

They try to find new ways to kill time.

The New Yorker

He has no choice but to kill time.

The New Yorker

To kill time, many of the guests took selfies.

The New Yorker

He wanders around the town to kill time.

The New Yorker

We can kill time, but language kills us.

The New Yorker

The bowling is often a way to kill time between drink orders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you're aiming for a more formal tone, consider using "pass the time" or "occupy oneself" instead of "kill time", as the latter can sound somewhat negative.

Common error

While "kill time" literally suggests stopping time, remember that it is just an idiom for occupying oneself during downtime. Don't read too much into the violent imagery of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kill time" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, indicating the act of engaging in an activity primarily to make time pass more quickly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English, and widely employed across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kill time" is a common and acceptable idiom used to describe engaging in an activity to make time pass more quickly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, predominantly in news, media, and informal contexts. While generally neutral, it can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "pass the time" or "occupy oneself" in professional settings. When using “kill time”, remember that its meaning is simply to fill time, not to take the violent imagery of the term too literally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass the time

A more neutral and common alternative, focusing on the act of making time go by.

while away the hours

Implies a relaxed and leisurely way of spending time.

occupy oneself

Focuses on engaging in an activity to avoid boredom.

fill in time

Suggests using something to make a short period of time seem less empty.

mark time

Similar to occupying oneself, but may suggest doing something without real purpose.

bide one's time

To wait patiently for an opportunity.

waste time

Highlights the unproductive nature of the activity.

dilly-dally

Implies moving slowly and wasting time.

twiddle one's thumbs

Suggests being idle and bored.

amuse oneself

Emphasizes the enjoyment aspect of the activity.

FAQs

How can I use "kill time" in a sentence?

You can use "kill time" to describe engaging in an activity to make time pass more quickly, such as, "I had a long layover at the airport, so I decided to "kill time" by reading a book".

What is a less negative alternative to "kill time"?

If you want to avoid the slightly negative connotation of "kill time", you could use phrases like "pass the time", "occupy oneself", or "while away the hours".

Is it appropriate to use "kill time" in formal writing?

While "kill time" is widely understood, it is generally considered informal. In formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "spend time", or "pass the time".

What's the difference between "kill time" and "waste time"?

"Kill time" implies simply occupying oneself, whereas "waste time" suggests doing something unproductive or frivolous. For example, playing a game to make a wait shorter is killing time, but endlessly scrolling through social media might be wasting it.