afternoon farmer

1. A farmer who only works after delaying or procrastinating for as long as they can. Primarily heard in UK. A: "Why isn't Matthew out tending to the crops?" B: "Because he's an afternoon farmer. He's probably still in bed!" You'd have far more success if you stopped being an afternoon farmer. Of course we're doing all the work and he's nowhere to be found—he's an afternoon farmer.

2. By extension, someone who is lazy or idle. Hey, you're getting a reputation as an afternoon farmer. Now turn off the TV and go do your chores. Don't just sit there like an afternoon farmer—help me bring in the groceries! Come on, you've spent half the day in bed. Stop being an afternoon farmer and get to work on your science project!

dog day afternoon

An afternoon in the part of the summer often thought to be hottest, usually considered to be July 3 to August 11. As such, it is often related to feelings of lethargy. In ancient times, people associated the heat during this period with the concurrent rising of Sirius, nicknamed "the dog star." As a kid, I loved lounging in the swimming pool on dog day afternoons. Working in the field can be hell on a dog day afternoon. Ugh, if the dog day afternoons are here, that means the first day of school is right around the corner.

good afternoon

A conventional expression of greeting or, less commonly, farewell used during the afternoon. Good afternoon, class. We'll begin by discussing the chapter I assigned you to read last night. He abruptly bid the gentleman good afternoon and walked briskly out of the room. Good afternoon, sir, how may I help you? Do you have a reservation for a room?

good day

1. old-fashioned A conventional expression of greeting or farewell used during the daytime (i.e., after morning but before dusk). He abruptly bid the gentleman good day and walked briskly out of the room. Good day, everyone. Shall we proceed? My train will be arriving shortly, so good day to you all.

2. cliché A curt dismissal indicating annoyance or aggravation. While still considered old-fashioned, it is often used by modern speakers for humorous or ironic effect. A: "Well, if that's your decision, then I must bid you good day." B: "Please, try to understand—" A: "Good day, sir!" A: "There's really no need to get upset." B: "Well, I disagree, so good day to you!" I refuse to stick around here and be treated as a laughingstock, so good day!

good evening

A conventional expression of greeting or, less commonly, farewell used around or after dusk. Good evening, Mary, is your father home? I believe we've made great progress so far, and we shall resume in the morning. Good evening, gentlemen! Good evening, sir, how may I help you? Do you have a reservation for a room?

good morning

A conventional expression of greeting or, less commonly, farewell used during the morning (i.e., before noon). Good morning, class. We'll begin by discussing the chapter I assigned you to read last night. He abruptly bid the gentleman good morning and walked briskly out of the room. Good morning, sir, how may I help you? Do you have a reservation for a room?

laze away

1. To be idle or slothful; to be totally inactive. ("Laze" is an informal verbalization of "lazy.") I don't want you lazing away on this sofa for the whole weekend, young man! After a long week of work, there's nothing I like better than to laze away for a while with video games or movies.

2. To pass a certain amount or period of time by being very lazy or idle. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "laze" and "away." Too many kids just laze the summer away in front of their computers or televisions. In my 20s, I would spend every Friday and Saturday night at the bar with my friends, but now that I have kids, I just want to laze away the evenings at home.

loaf away

1. To be idle or slothful; to be totally inactive. I don't want you loafing away on this sofa for the whole weekend, young man! After a long week of work, there's nothing I like better than to loaf away for a while with some video games or movies.

2. To pass a certain amount or period of time by being very lazy or idle. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "loaf" and "away." Too many kids just loaf the summer away in front of their computers or televisions. In my 20s, I would spend every Friday and Saturday night at the bar with my friends, but now that I have kids, I just want to loaf away the evenings at home.

loiter away

1. To be idle or slothful; to be totally inactive. I don't want you loitering away on this sofa for the whole weekend, young man! After a long week of work, there's nothing I like better than to loiter away for a while with some video games or movies.

2. To pass a certain amount or period of time by being very lazy or idle. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "loiter" and "away." Too many kids just loiter the summer away in front of their computers or televisions. You really need to be working on your college applications, not loitering away your weekends with your friends.

of a morning/afternoon/evening

1. Very often at this time of day; on most occasions at this time of day. My father has a ritual of an evening, enjoying the newspaper with a measure of whiskey after dinner in front of the fire. There's nothing better of a morning than taking your first sip of coffee.

2. At some point at this time of day. There's a soccer club playing at the park if you're ever stuck for something to do of a morning in the summertime. Why don't we go for a quick hike? There are worse things to do of a Saturday afternoon than get some fresh air and exercise in the mountains!

See also: afternoon, evening, morning, of

talk the (something) away

To spend some period of time talking. A: "How did your date go?" B: "It was great. We have so much in common—we just talked the night away!"

(Good) afternoon.

1. the appropriate greeting for use between noon and supper time. Sally: How are you today? Jane: Good afternoon. How are you? Sally: Fine, thank you. Bob: Afternoon. Nice to see you. Bill: Good afternoon. How are you? Bob: Fine, thanks.

2. an expression used on departure or for dismissal between noon and supper time. (Meaning "I wish you a good afternoon.") Sally: See you later, Bill. Bill: Afternoon. See you later. Mary: Nice to see you. Tom: Good afternoon. Take care.

laze something away

to spend a period of time being lazy. I just love to sit here and laze the day away. I will laze away the entire day.

loaf something away

to waste away a period of time. You have loafed the entire day away! He loafed away the entire day.

loiter something away

to idle away a period of time. Those boys will loiter half their lives away. They loitered away their summer vacation.

good day

Also, good afternoon or evening or morning . Formal ways of saying "Hello" or "Goodbye." For example, He began rather oddly by addressing the audience with " Good day," or " Good afternoon, ladies," said the sales clerk as we walked out. All these greetings represent an abbreviation of the now obsolete God give you a good day (afternoon, etc.), which dates from about 1200. Also see good night.

good evening

see under good day.

good morning

see under good day.