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
These gifts have included a patient’s favorite food, fluffy blankets, a puzzle to pass the time and more.
—
Hansa Bhargava, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
But surely the they/thems can find some better way to pass the time than setting themselves and everything else on fire.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Detectives took up a collection and shopped for some things the man might need – clothes, books, puzzles to pass the time – then put together a care package, complete with gift bags and tissue paper, Brownell says.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
The journey is made much easier for the crew by the opportunity to pass the time in cryosleep.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pass the time
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Hansa Bhargava, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
But surely the they/thems can find some better way to pass the time than setting themselves and everything else on fire.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Detectives took up a collection and shopped for some things the man might need – clothes, books, puzzles to pass the time – then put together a care package, complete with gift bags and tissue paper, Brownell says.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
The journey is made much easier for the crew by the opportunity to pass the time in cryosleep.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share