as in to veg out
to spend time doing nothing
spent the morning footling about while others were working
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Recent Examples of footle
Get our daily newsletter Yet Mr Schwarzman avoids footling with life’s foot-soldiers for a reason.
—
The Economist, 19 Sep. 2019
The Economist, 19 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for footle
Verb
-
Just take care of your[self], and veg out.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Jan. 2026
-
This set is damn near professional-wear, with a blazer-style top and contrast piping for those who like to veg out with dignity.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Though the sisters are supposedly first-generation Italian American, no whiff of the old country hangs about Kay; Dorothy will at least spit out a few words in Italian.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Turquoise pearl, and azure line the space, and a cylindrical hanging light sculpture made of hundreds of white and gold ceramic fish hangs about the lounge seating area.—
Kristin Braswell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The latest season wrapped with Emily deciding to either kick back in Rome with her Italian boyfriend or return to life in Paris.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Oil prices have been swinging through sharp and sudden reversals for weeks with hopes rising and falling for the Strait of Hormuz to fully reopen and allow production of oil and natural gas to kick back into gear.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Jonathan is standing over Coach, who is lounging in a hammock like a bruised banana that is too good to touch the counter.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
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As soon as it was delivered (with matching ottoman), our team was fighting each other off for a chance to lounge in the Bun chair.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On March 17, a video obtained by TMZ showed LaBeouf in a hotel lobby in Rome, Italy, wearing only his underwear and trying to bum a light for a cigarette.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Spring cleaning bumming you out?—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the profession’s appeal rests on a tension that The Pitt doesn’t shy away from.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
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The optics surrounding Denver’s decision to rest all five starters Friday and four of them Sunday were suspicious.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Days passed and bombs kept falling, while oil tankers idled on either side of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had effectively closed in retaliation for the war launched by Israel and the United States.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
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Many wells remain the responsibility of active oil and gas field operators and are subject to idle well management plans, bonding requirements and escalating plugging obligations under recent legislation.—
Tim Rathmann,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once chilled, top with berries and garnishes as desired.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The committee is considering changes to the law, which many in the real estate industry believe has chilled development in the city.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Footle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/footle. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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