fool away

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fool away

He foolishly decided to fool away his entire savings on a single extravagant purchase.

Definition

Verb (transitive): To waste or squander (something, especially money or time) in a careless, frivolous, or unwise manner. It implies spending or using resources without purpose or benefit, often on trivial things.

Usage

This verb is used with a direct object (the thing being wasted). It often carries a tone of criticism or regret for the wasteful action. The construction is typically: to fool away [something].

Examples
  • Direct Object (Money/Wealth):
    • He fooled away his entire savings on gambling and expensive cars.
    • Don't fool away your inheritance on fleeting pleasures.
  • Direct Object (Time/Opportunity):
    • She fooled away the afternoon browsing social media instead of studying.
    • They fooled away a golden opportunity by not preparing for the meeting.
Advanced Usage
  • Emphatic Constructions: The verb can be modified for emphasis.
    • He just fooled it all away in a matter of months. (Using "it all" for emphasis.)
  • Reflexive Implication: While not grammatically reflexive, the action often negatively impacts the subject.
    • By fooling away his time, he fooled away his future.
Variants and Related Words
  • Fritter away: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "fool away." It strongly connotes wasting small amounts repeatedly until the whole is gone.
    • She frittered away her energy on minor tasks.
  • Squander: A more formal synonym, emphasizing wasteful extravagance.
    • The company squandered its market advantage.
  • Blow (informal): To spend money recklessly.
    • He blew his bonus on a luxury watch.
Synonyms
  • Waste
  • Squander
  • Fritter away
  • Dissipate
  • Misspend
  • Throw away
Antonyms
  • Save
  • Conserve
  • Invest
  • Husband (resources)
  • Utilize wisely
Related Phrasal Verbs/Idioms
  • Fool around: To spend time idly or without serious purpose. While similar, "fool around" focuses more on the idle activity itself, whereas "fool away" focuses on the thing being wasted.
    • Stop fooling around and get to work! (Idle behavior)
    • He fooled away the day. (He wasted the time of the day.)
  • Throw money down the drain: An idiom meaning to waste money completely.
    • Buying that unreliable car was like throwing money down the drain.
fool away

He foolishly decided to fool away his entire savings on a single extravagant purchase.

Verb
  1. spend frivolously and unwisely
    • Fritter away one's inheritance

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