worth (one's) while

worth (one's) while

Beneficial and not a waste of one's time. I was reluctant to do research at a different library, but it turned out to be totally worth my while, as they had a ton of books on my topic! Staying up late tonight won't be worth my while because then I'll be exhausted the whole rest of the week. Will you drive me to the party tonight? I'll make it worth your while—how about I do your chores for a week?

See also: while, worth

worth someone's while

worth one's time and trouble. The job pays so badly it's not worth your while even going for an interview. It's not worth Mary's while going all that way just for a one-hour meeting.

See also: while, worth

worth one's while

1. Merit one's time or efforts, as in It's hardly worth your while to count the transactions; it can be done by computer. [Late 1600s]

2. make something worth one's while. Compensate one for one's time or efforts, as in If you take care of our yard while we're away, I'll make it worth your while. [Mid-1800s] Both usages employ while in the sense of "a period of time spent."

See also: while, worth

(well) worth your ˈwhile (to do something)

interesting or useful to do: It would be well worth your while to come to the meeting.

See also: while, worth