slattern away
C1 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To waste your time or money carelessly and messily (a very old-fashioned phrase).
Literal meaning: To behave like a slattern (an untidy, careless person) with something until it is gone.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
formal
To waste time or money through carelessness or slovenly behavior.
"He had slatternly frittered and slatternly away every penny his father left him."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Archaic and extremely rare. Derived from 'slattern', an old word for a slovenly or untidy woman. Modern speakers would not use this phrase; 'fritter away' or 'squander' are the natural alternatives.
Commonly used with
time money hours resources fortune
Forms
Base
slattern away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
slatterns away
he/she/it
Past simple
slatterned away
yesterday
Past participle
slatterned away
have + pp
-ing form
slatterning away
continuous
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