All phrases › while away the hours (doing something)
What does “while away the hours (doing something)” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
C1
To pass time in a relaxed, unhurried way
“We whiled away the hours chatting on the porch.”
From the C1 lesson Time to Spare (free time and hobbies).
Quick check
What does “while away the hours (doing something)” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“while away the hours (doing something)” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 1 (Life, People and Places).
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Related phrases
- get away from it allto escape your usual routine or pressures
- a labor of lovesomething you do for pleasure, even though it takes real effort
- indulge a passion (for something)to spend time doing something you love, without holding back
- tick something off your bucket listto finally do something you've long wanted to do
- lose yourself in (something)to become completely absorbed in an activity
- a change of scenea move to a different place or environment, for variety
- put your feet upto relax, especially by sitting or lying down
- a guilty pleasuresomething enjoyable that you feel slightly embarrassed about
- be spoiled for choiceto have so many good options that choosing is difficult