pass the time
Occupy oneself idly
To pass the time is to occupy oneself during a period that might otherwise feel empty or tedious.
The phrase suggests activity undertaken not for its own sake but to make waiting more bearable: We played cards to pass the time until the flight boarded.
It can also describe how one generally spends idle hours: She passes the time reading mysteries.
Baked bread shape
- loungeComfortable waiting room
- lazePass time idly
- driftGradual movement, no direction
- dawdleLinger without purpose
meander · potter · loiter · loll · twiddle · saunter · veg · dillydally
Cause light enjoyment
- engageActively participate or connect
- playRecreation or staged drama
- gamesOrganized competitive activities
- puzzlesProblems designed to challenge
storytelling · banter · jokes · humor · cards · board games · reading · music
Fill or dwell in
- absorbTake in fully
- engrossAbsorb one's attention wholly
- preoccupyAbsorb one's attention completely
- busyActively occupied with tasks
divert · fidget · doodle · daydream · browse · scroll · fiddle · tinker
loaf
Baked bread shape
dawdle · meander · potter · loiter · loll · twiddle · saunter · veg · dillydally · mooch
amuse
Cause light enjoyment
- engageActively participate or connect
- playRecreation or staged drama
- gamesOrganized competitive activities
puzzles · storytelling · banter · jokes · humor · cards · board games · reading · music · videos
occupy
Fill or dwell in
busy · divert · fidget · doodle · daydream · browse · scroll · fiddle · tinker · ponder
relaxation
State of being unwound
- recreationRefreshment through leisure
- breakInterrupt continuity
- respiteShort pause from hardship
downtime · holiday · vacation · weekend · repose · retreat · siesta · intermission · pause · unwind
pass the timework
Effort toward a goal
get things done · buckle down · apply oneself · labor · toil
time, pass, passing, times, passed, timer, pastime, timely, timed