killing time until

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "killing time until" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of engaging in activities to pass the time while waiting for something else to happen. Example: "I was just killing time until my appointment started, so I browsed through some magazines at the café."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

And, besides, those of us who have already settled on a candidate are just killing time until Election Day.

The New York Times

Most of her peers, she said, were upper-middle-class women who were killing time until Mr. Right came along.

The New York Times

I liked the way the words sounded and the dumb little three-note riff that seemed to be just killing time until the big E chord.

The New York Times

No one is dancing or even really listening; people are still coming into the club or killing time until the bands they're here for start playing.

The New Yorker

As Bruce Arthur writes in The National Post, both sides are basically killing time until someone notices the season is going up in flames.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a tailgate party in the pouring rain, under the shelter of a hatchback, where everyone was killing time until the Beastie Boys were scheduled to play.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

We ordered a round of juleps and killed time until the race.

The New Yorker

Posada went to the mound to kill time until Erdos was ready.

The New York Times - Sports

After this, they ran, jumped, hurled the shot put, and killed time until the exercises were finished.

The New Yorker

Both of us passionate pontoon players, we played pontoon together to kill time until it wasn't time that was killed, it was he".

The New York Times - Books

Once I made town, I visited around, chewed snuff, and killed time until it was dark, then crept close to the convent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "killing time until", consider the tone you wish to convey. The phrase can imply a sense of boredom or impatience. If a more positive or neutral tone is desired, alternatives like "passing the time until" or "whiling away the hours until" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "killing time until" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound too informal or negative for professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "awaiting" or "anticipating" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "killing time until" functions as a continuous tense + time connector, indicating an action performed to pass the time while awaiting a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "killing time until" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe activities undertaken to pass the time while waiting for something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While suitable for general conversation and news reporting, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "passing the time until" or "awaiting". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its broad applicability in describing everyday situations. When choosing whether to employ the phrase, consider the desired tone and audience to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passing time until

This alternative is a shorter, more concise version of "passing the time until", maintaining the same neutral tone.

passing the time until

This alternative is a more neutral and straightforward way of expressing the same concept, focusing on the act of passing time without the slightly negative connotation of "killing" time.

killing the hours until

This alternative is more casual way of expressing the same concept of passing time.

filling the time until

This alternative simply means to use activities to make the time pass before something happens, with no specific implication about the nature of the activities.

whiling away the hours until

This alternative suggests a more relaxed and leisurely approach to passing time, often implying enjoyable or pleasant activities.

occupying oneself until

This alternative emphasizes the act of keeping busy to avoid boredom or idleness while waiting.

marking time until

This alternative emphasizes the sense of waiting and the lack of meaningful activity during the interim period.

biding one's time until

This alternative suggests a strategic or patient approach to waiting, often with an underlying purpose or goal in mind.

marking the hours until

This implies a passive experience where the focus is on the passage of time.

awaiting the time until

Focuses on the act of waiting more than the act of filling the time

FAQs

What does "killing time until" mean?

The phrase "killing time until" means engaging in activities to pass the time while waiting for a specific event or moment to occur. It often implies a sense of boredom or that the activities are not particularly meaningful.

What can I say instead of "killing time until"?

You can use alternatives like "passing the time until", "whiling away the hours until", or "occupying oneself until" depending on the context.

Is "killing time until" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "killing time until" can sound informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "awaiting the time until" or "anticipating the time until" to maintain a more professional tone.

How can I use "killing time until" in a sentence?

You can use "killing time until" to describe activities you do while waiting. For example, "I was killing time until my appointment by reading a book" or "They were killing time until the concert started by exploring the city".