whiles
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while away
To spend an amount of time idly, pleasantly, or in a carefree manner. Often used in the phrase "while away the hours." A noun or pronoun can be used between "while" and "away." When we were kids, we would while away the hours on rainy days just drawing pictures and reading books. Don't just while the summer away—set a goal for yourself and do something constructive.
while away the time
To spend some amount of time idly, pleasantly, or in a carefree manner. When we were kids, we would while away the time on rainy days just drawing pictures and reading books. Don't just while away the time this summer—set goals for yourself and try to do something constructive.
while the time away
To spend some amount of time idly, pleasantly, or in a carefree manner. When we were kids, we would while the time away on rainy days just drawing pictures and reading books. Don't just while the time away this summer—set goals for yourself and try to do something constructive.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
while away
Spend time idly or pleasantly, as in It was a beautiful day and we whiled away the hours in the garden. This expression is the only surviving use of the verb while, meaning "to spend time." [First half of 1600s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
while away
v.
To spend some duration of time idly or pleasantly: The campers whiled the hours away by singing songs. We whiled away the summer.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.