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piddle away

C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To slowly waste your money or time on silly, unimportant things.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

To waste money gradually by spending it on trivial or unimportant things.

"He piddled away his entire bonus on gadgets he never used."

Grammar: separable
2 C1 idiomatic informal

To waste time on unimportant or trivial activities.

"We piddled away the whole afternoon watching old TV clips and got nothing done."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Quite informal and carries a mildly contemptuous or disapproving tone. The word 'piddle' is associated in British English with urinating, which adds a slightly crude flavour to this expression. More common in British English than American English. Often used when criticising someone's careless spending or use of time. 'Fritter away' is the safer, more widely used alternative.

Commonly used with

money savings time inheritance resources afternoon

Forms

Base
piddle away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
piddles away
he/she/it
Past simple
piddled away
yesterday
Past participle
piddled away
have + pp
-ing form
piddling away
continuous

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Synonyms

fritter away squander waste throw away blow trifle away

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