# burn time

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/burn-time
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To waste time unnecessarily.

## Examples

- We burn time playing games while waiting for the bus.
- Since the meeting was delayed by an hour, we had to burn time in the lobby reading old magazines.
- Rather than focusing on the urgent deadline, the team continued to burn time discussing trivial matters that had no impact on the final project.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.