Differences between fritter away and while away
Fritter away means to waste time or money on unimportant things, while while away means to spend time in a relaxed or enjoyable way.
Meanings and Definitions: fritter away vs while away
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Fritter away
- 1To waste or squander.
And to make matters worse, he frittered away the money while she was asleep in bed recovering.
While away
- 1Spend time doing something because you have nothing better to do.
We WHILED a couple of hours AWAY playing computer games.
Usage Examples: fritter away, while away in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
fritter away
Example
She tends to fritter away her time on social media.
Example
He fritters away his money on unnecessary things.
while away
Example
I like to while away my weekends by reading a good book.
Example
She whiles away her free time by painting.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Fritter away
To waste something valuable, especially money or time.
Example
He squandered his inheritance on gambling and luxury items.
To waste or spend recklessly, often referring to money.
Example
She blew her entire paycheck on clothes and accessories.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of While away
kill time
To spend time doing something unproductive or entertaining to make time pass more quickly.
Example
They killed time by playing games on their phones during the long car ride.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “away”
Differences in fritter away vs while away: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: fritter away or while away?
Both phrases are used in everyday conversation, but while away is more common. It's often used to describe how people spend their free time, while fritter away is used more to describe wasting resources.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of fritter away and while away
Both fritter away and while away are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. However, while away can be used in more formal settings like writing or speeches, while fritter away is less appropriate in such contexts.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of fritter away and while away
The tone of fritter away is often negative, implying that someone is wasting something valuable. On the other hand, while away has a more positive connotation, suggesting that someone is enjoying their time.
