pass the time

pass the time (third-person singular simple present passes the time, present participle passing the time, simple past and past participle passed the time)

1. To occupy oneself for a period of time.

   Since the train was late, we passed the time looking at our fellow passengers and making up stories about them.

   • 2001, J. G. Thirlwell (lyrics and music), “Heuldoch 7B”, in Flow, performed by Foetus:

     Look at all the ugly people
     Fillin' holes to pass the time

• pass the time of day
• pastime
• kill time