linger over
Verb: - To spend a long time doing something, especially in a slow, unhurried, or reluctant manner; to delay or prolong an action, often by giving it excessive attention or savoring it.
This verb describes the act of taking more time than is typical or necessary to complete an action, usually because one is enjoying it, is hesitant to finish, or is being deliberately slow. It often implies a sense of delay or dawdling.
- Verb:
- She likes to linger over her morning coffee, reading the newspaper.
- Don't linger over your meal; we need to leave soon.
- He lingered over the details of the contract, checking every clause carefully.
"to linger over a memory/thought": To think about something for an extended period, often with nostalgia or sadness.
- In his old age, he would often linger over memories of his childhood.
"to linger over a choice/decision": To hesitate or take a long time before making a decision.
- The committee lingered over the final selection for hours.
Linger (verb): To stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave.
- They lingered in the garden after the party ended.
Lingering (adjective): Lasting for a long time, especially longer than usual or expected.
- She had a lingering suspicion that he wasn't telling the truth.
- Dwell on: To think, speak, or write at length about a particular subject.
- Savor: To enjoy or appreciate (something pleasant) completely, especially by dwelling on it.
- Procrastinate: To delay or postpone action; often implies avoidance.
- Linger on: To continue to exist, be noticeable, or stay somewhere for longer than expected.
- The smell of her perfume lingered on in the room.
- He lingered on at the door, unwilling to say goodbye.
- To drag one's feet: To act slowly or reluctantly.
- The government is dragging its feet on the new environmental legislation.(Note: This idiom shares the sense of delay but is not a direct synonym for "linger over").
- delay