pass the time
idiom
: to let time or a period of time go by especially while doing something enjoyable
We played games to pass the time on the bus.
Examples of pass the time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To pass the time between interviews with the immigration office, Nasser and his friends film satirical sketches and make preparations for a zombie horror movie.
—
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 June 2024
For those looking to pass the time during those extra hours of natural sunlight for reading, below TIME rounds up some surprising facts about the summer solstice and its history.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 19 June 2024
This was a reminder that there is no treading water like a cable news anchor trying to pass the time while waiting for something to happen.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2024
Set in a Lower East Side apartment building at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, a cast of neighbors trade stories to pass the time.
—Theara Coleman, theweek, 2 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pass the time 
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 June 2024
For those looking to pass the time during those extra hours of natural sunlight for reading, below TIME rounds up some surprising facts about the summer solstice and its history.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 19 June 2024
This was a reminder that there is no treading water like a cable news anchor trying to pass the time while waiting for something to happen.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2024
Set in a Lower East Side apartment building at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, a cast of neighbors trade stories to pass the time.
—Theara Coleman, theweek, 2 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pass the time
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pass the time.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pass the time
Cite this Entry
“Pass the time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pass%20the%20time. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share