pass the time

Meaning

This expression means to do something to keep busy while waiting for something else to happen, making the time seem to go faster. It is commonly associated with casual entertainment, like playing mobile games, reading, or watching videos during a commute or in a waiting room.

Examples

• I downloaded a few mobile games to help pass the time during the long train ride.

  I downloaded a few mobile games to help pass the time during the long train ride.

• We played 20 Questions to pass the time while we waited in the long queue.

  We played 20 Questions to pass the time while we waited in the long queue.

• Reading a good novel is my favorite way to pass the time on a rainy afternoon.

  Reading a good novel is my favorite way to pass the time on a rainy afternoon.

• They listened to an audiobook to pass the time while driving across the country.

  They listened to an audiobook to pass the time while driving across the country.

• I solved crossword puzzles in the lobby just to pass the time before my interview.

  I solved crossword puzzles in the lobby just to pass the time before my interview.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I played games to spend the time while waiting.

  ✓ I played games to pass the time while waiting.

  'Spend time' means to use time doing something specific. 'Pass the time' specifically means doing an activity to make a waiting period feel faster.

• ✗ We did some quizzes to past the time.

  ✓ We did some quizzes to pass the time.

  'Pass' is the verb form needed here. 'Past' is a noun, adjective, or preposition, not a verb.

Related Expressions

Practice

• There was a three-hour delay at the airport, so I bought a magazine to ___.

  💡 To make the waiting time feel shorter.

  Show answer

  pass the time

• What do you usually do to ___ when you're stuck in traffic?

  💡 To keep yourself occupied during a boring wait.

  Show answer

  pass the time