while away the hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'while away the hours' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to spending time in a relaxed way or idly passing the time. For example, "We whiled away the hours playing cards and eating snacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He met Dave Mahoney, a tenor who also played the saxophone, and they began singing to while away the hours as their ship patrolled the Newfoundland area.

Independent

No time to while away the hours in cafes.

The Guardian

He needed something to while away the hours.

The New York Times

A reference book is still the place to while away the hours.

The Guardian - Books

He hired prostitutes, mostly teenage girls, to help him while away the hours.

The Guardian

Is it so dangerous to while away the hours gorging on series, serial or comedy?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Forget that latest beach-read page-turner to while away the hours.

The New York Times

If you want to while away the hours catching and training wild horses, so be it.

The New Yorker

I was studying history, and read Aristotle to while away the hours.

The Guardian - Arts

iPhone Looking for a new quirky puzzler to while away the hours on iPhone?

The Guardian - Tech

It's a question I often ask as I while away the hours shooting pigs.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while away the hours" to describe engaging in relaxing or enjoyable activities that help to make time pass pleasantly, especially when there's nothing pressing to do.

Common error

Avoid using "while away the hours" when describing activities that are productive or time-sensitive. This phrase is best suited for situations where the primary goal is to pass time pleasantly, not to accomplish something specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while away the hours" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, indicating how time is spent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to express the act of passing time in a relaxed or leisurely manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while away the hours" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe spending time in a relaxed and leisurely manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. With its prevalence in news and media sources, the phrase is widely understood and accepted in both written and spoken English. Remember to use "while away the hours" to describe activities that are enjoyable and help to make time pass pleasantly, rather than productive or time-sensitive tasks. Consider using alternatives such as ""pass the time"" or ""idle the time away"" for similar meanings, while keeping in mind their subtle differences in connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pass the time

Focuses on making time go by, often without a specific activity.

idle the time away

Emphasizes inactivity and lack of purpose.

spend time leisurely

Highlights the relaxed and unhurried nature of the activity.

occupy oneself

Focuses on engaging in an activity to avoid boredom or idleness.

kill time

Implies that the time is unwanted and needs to be eliminated.

amuse oneself

Suggests engaging in enjoyable activities to pass the time.

laze around

Conveys a sense of relaxation and inactivity.

kick back and relax

Emphasizes informality and relaxation.

take it easy

Advises a relaxed and stress-free approach to spending time.

enjoy downtime

Highlights the opportunity to relax and unwind during free time.

FAQs

How can I use "while away the hours" in a sentence?

You can use "while away the hours" to describe spending time in a relaxed or leisurely manner. For example, "They "while away the hours" reading books and drinking tea."

What are some alternatives to "while away the hours"?

Some alternatives to "while away the hours" include "pass the time", "idle the time away", or "spend time leisurely".

Is it formal or informal to say "while away the hours"?

"While away the hours" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both informal and some formal contexts, although it leans towards being slightly more common in informal writing and speech.

What does it mean to "while away the hours"?

To ""while away the hours"" means to spend time in a relaxed and leisurely manner, often doing something enjoyable to make time pass more pleasantly.