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Grammar fix

while away

pass time pleasantly

to spend time in a relaxed and enjoyable way, especially when you are waiting for something or have nothing urgent to do.

phrasal verbC1rare

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • We whiled away the afternoon chatting in the garden.daily life
  • If I have a long commute, I usually while away the time by listening to podcasts or music.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: while away (something) (doing something)

WrongWe wiled away the hours.

RightWe whiled away the hours.

It's 'while away' (with an h), not 'wile away'.

Patternwhile away (something) (doing something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff We passed the time agreeably by playing cards while we waited.

Natural We whiled away the afternoon playing cards.

'While away' is the idiomatic verb for pleasantly passing time; the paraphrase is wordy.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • while away + time
    the afternoonthe hoursa rainy daythe time

Don't confuse it

'While away' means to enjoyably pass time, especially when waiting, whereas 'waste time' suggests being unproductive or inefficient.

Try it in Daily Speak →