waste one's time

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Thân thiện
Definition

Verb phrase: - To use time in an unproductive, inefficient, or idle manner; to spend time on activities that yield no benefit, value, or progress.

Usage

This phrase is used to describe the act of engaging in activities that do not contribute to a meaningful goal or purpose. It implies a sense of lost opportunity and is often used in a critical or advisory tone. - It is typically used with a subject (e.g., you, he, we) and can be followed by a gerund (verb+ing) to specify the unproductive activity. - It can be used in the imperative mood as a warning or piece of advice (e.g., "Don't waste your time").

Examples
Advanced Usage
  • "waste no time (in) doing something": To begin doing something immediately and without delay. This is a related but distinct idiom with a positive, urgent connotation.
    • She wasted no time in applying for the new job.
Variants and Related Words
  • Time-wasting (noun/adj): The act or characteristic of wasting time.
    • His constant interruptions were a serious time-wasting. (noun)
    • We need to stop these time-wasting discussions. (adj)
  • Time-waster (noun): A person or thing that causes time to be wasted.
    • That app is a total time-waster.
Synonyms
  • Idle away (time): To spend time doing nothing.
  • Fritter away (time): To waste time, money, or energy on trivial matters.
  • Kill time: To spend time while waiting for something else to happen (often neutral, but can imply wasting time).
Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions
  • Bum around (phrasal verb): To spend time lazily or aimlessly; to loaf. (As referenced in the context: "Her son is just bumming around all day.")
    • He's been bumming around since he graduated, with no job.
Related Idioms
  • Spin one's wheels: To expend effort without making any progress.
    • If we don't get the necessary data, we're just spinning our wheels.
  • Goof off: To spend time doing nothing important or avoiding work.
    • He spent the afternoon goofing off instead of finishing his report.
Verb
  1. be lazy or idle
    • Her son is just bumming around all day