while away
Spend time idly
While away means to pass time in a leisurely or idle manner, typically when waiting or lacking urgent purpose: She whiled away the afternoon reading on the porch.
The phrase suggests pleasant but unproductive activity—time spent agreeably rather than usefully.
You while away hours, not minutes; the expression implies a stretch of time to fill.
idle
Without activity or purpose
dawdle · potter · linger · meander · relax · unwind · repose · siesta · daydream · muse
purposefulness of time use
while awayput to good use
Apply effectively toward purpose
work · labor · toil · get things done · make the most of
while, meanwhile, awhile, worthwhile, whiling away, whiled, whiles