while away the time, etc.

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.See also: away

while away the time, etc. (doing something)

pass the time (doing something), usually because you are waiting for something or have nothing better to do: I had ten hours to wait in Rome, so I whiled away the time wandering around the museums.See also: away, while