# fool away

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fool-away
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to waste something valuable, like time or money, on silly or unimportant things. You use this when someone is not being serious with their resources.

For teachers: To squander or dissipate time, money, or opportunities in a frivolous or idle manner. This transitive phrasal verb emphasizes the foolishness or lack of purpose behind the waste.

## Examples

- Don't fool away your morning on social media.
- He managed to fool away his entire inheritance on luxury travel and parties within a single year.
- The committee was criticized for fooling away the summer recess instead of drafting the necessary legislation for the autumn session.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He was just fooling away in the park." but "He was just fooling around in the park." — 'Fool away' requires an object that is being wasted, while 'fool around' describes the act of behaving sillily.

## Usage notes

- This verb is transitive and typically takes 'time', 'money', or 'an opportunity' as its object.
- Teaching tip: Compare this with 'fritter away'; while both mean to waste bit by bit, 'fool away' specifically suggests the person is acting like a fool or being irresponsible.

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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.