# watch the world go by

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/watch-the-world-go-by
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To pause and remain still whilst doing nothing but surveying the environment around oneself.

## Examples

- I like to sit on the bench and watch the world go by.
- After a busy week, she spent the entire Saturday at a sidewalk cafe just to watch the world go by.
- He found a quiet corner in the park where he could escape his responsibilities and simply watch the world go by for a few hours.

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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.