Wasting time is a universal human experience. We all have moments when hours slip away—sometimes intentionally for rest, sometimes unintentionally through procrastination or distraction. Learning idioms for wasting time helps us express these moments with warmth, clarity, and emotional intelligence, especially in thoughtful conversations, writing, or professional communication.
In my years of reading, writing, and teaching English expressions, I’ve noticed that idioms make language feel more human and relatable. Instead of bluntly saying “I wasted time,” idioms allow us to soften the message, add humor, or show self-awareness.
1. Beat Around the Bush
Meaning: To avoid getting to the main point.
Sentence: He kept beating around the bush instead of answering directly.
Best Use: When someone delays an important discussion.
Other Ways to Say: Dodge the issue, stall, avoid the point.
2. Kill Time
Meaning: To do something unimportant while waiting.
Sentence: I read a magazine to kill time at the airport.
Best Use: Casual or neutral situations.
Other Ways to Say: Pass the time, fill the gap.
3. Drag One’s Feet
Meaning: To delay taking action.
Sentence: She’s dragging her feet on making a decision.
Best Use: Workplace or responsibility-related contexts.
Other Ways to Say: Procrastinate, delay intentionally.
4. Twiddle One’s Thumbs
Meaning: To do nothing while waiting.
Sentence: I was just twiddling my thumbs all afternoon.
Best Use: Informal or lighthearted speech.
Other Ways to Say: Sit idle, wait aimlessly.
5. Fiddle Around
Meaning: To spend time on unimportant tasks.
Sentence: He fiddled around instead of finishing the work.
Best Use: Mild criticism.
Other Ways to Say: Mess about, tinker aimlessly.
6. Dilly-Dally
Meaning: To waste time by being slow or indecisive.
Sentence: Don’t dilly-dally—we’re already late.
Best Use: Friendly reminders or parenting tone.
Other Ways to Say: Linger, hesitate.
7. Spin One’s Wheels
Meaning: To work without making progress.
Sentence: I felt like I was spinning my wheels all week.
Best Use: Professional frustration.
Other Ways to Say: Go nowhere, make no headway.
8. While Away the Time
Meaning: To spend time pleasantly but unproductively.
Sentence: We whiled away the time chatting.
Best Use: Positive or reflective contexts.
Other Ways to Say: Pass time gently, relax.
9. Go Around in Circles
Meaning: To repeat without progress.
Sentence: The meeting kept going around in circles.
Best Use: Business or problem-solving scenarios.
Other Ways to Say: Repeat endlessly, stagnate.
10. Waste One’s Breath
Meaning: To speak without effect.
Sentence: Arguing further would be wasting my breath.
Best Use: Emotional boundaries.
Other Ways to Say: Speak in vain.
11. Mark Time
Meaning: To stay busy without moving forward.
Sentence: I was marking time in that role.
Best Use: Career discussions.
Other Ways to Say: Remain stagnant.
12. Fool Around
Meaning: To behave playfully instead of working.
Sentence: They fooled around all afternoon.
Best Use: Informal or friendly settings.
Other Ways to Say: Mess about, joke around.
13. Sit on One’s Hands
Meaning: To take no action.
Sentence: Management sat on their hands during the crisis.
Best Use: Critical analysis.
Other Ways to Say: Do nothing, remain passive.
14. Chase One’s Tail
Meaning: To be busy without results.
Sentence: I felt like I was chasing my tail.
Best Use: Self-reflection.
Other Ways to Say: Run in circles.
15. Let the Grass Grow Under One’s Feet
Meaning: To wait too long to act.
Sentence: Don’t let the grass grow under your feet.
Best Use: Advice or motivation.
Other Ways to Say: Delay excessively.
16. Kill the Day
Meaning: To spend a whole day doing little.
Sentence: We killed the day at the beach.
Best Use: Casual conversation.
Other Ways to Say: Spend the day idly.
17. Putter Around
Meaning: To do small, unimportant tasks.
Sentence: I puttered around the house.
Best Use: Relaxed tone.
Other Ways to Say: Tinker, potter about.
18. Burn Daylight
Meaning: To waste valuable time.
Sentence: Let’s not burn daylight.
Best Use: Urgent or motivational moments.
Other Ways to Say: Lose time, delay action.
19. Hang About
Meaning: To wait without purpose.
Sentence: I was hanging about all evening.
Best Use: British English contexts.
Other Ways to Say: Linger, loiter.
20. Run Out the Clock
Meaning: To delay until time ends.
Sentence: They ran out the clock to avoid a decision.
Best Use: Strategy or negotiation discussions.
Other Ways to Say: Stall deliberately.
21. Kick the Can Down the Road
Meaning: To postpone dealing with an issue.
Sentence: Leaders keep kicking the can down the road.
Best Use: Policy or planning topics.
Other Ways to Say: Delay responsibility.
22. Lose Track of Time
Meaning: To become unaware of time passing.
Sentence: I lost track of time while reading.
Best Use: Gentle, personal reflections.
Other Ways to Say: Forget the time.
23. Sit Around
Meaning: To do nothing productive.
Sentence: We just sat around all day.
Best Use: Informal speech.
Other Ways to Say: Idle, relax aimlessly.
24. Take One’s Sweet Time
Meaning: To move very slowly.
Sentence: He took his sweet time responding.
Best Use: Mild humor or irritation.
Other Ways to Say: Be slow, delay.
25. Drift Along
Meaning: To move without direction or purpose.
Sentence: I was drifting along without clear goals.
Best Use: Reflective or emotional writing.
Other Ways to Say: Coast, wander.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are idioms important in communication?
Idioms add emotional nuance, warmth, and cultural depth to language.
2. Are these idioms suitable for professional writing?
Yes, many are appropriate for business, emails, and presentations when used thoughtfully.
3. Can idioms make writing sound more natural?
Absolutely. Idioms help writing sound human and authentic.
4. Should non-native speakers use idioms?
Yes, but with understanding of context and tone.
5. How can I practice using these idioms?
Use them in journaling, conversations, and short paragraphs regularly.
Conclusion
Understanding and using idioms for wasting time allows us to communicate more thoughtfully and compassionately. From professional settings to personal reflections, these expressions help us describe delays, pauses, and moments of stillness without harsh judgment. With experience, I’ve found that the right idiom can turn a simple sentence into a meaningful connection. Used wisely, these phrases enrich language, strengthen clarity, and reflect emotional intelligence—hallmarks of effective communication.
