burn daylight

Definitions

1. To use artificial light during the daytime when one could simply use the sunlight.
2. To waste time.
   idiomatic

Examples

“O, Madam, no candles yet, I beseech you ; don't let⟳ us burn daylight.”

“It beginning to grow⟳ a little duskish, Candlemas lustily bawled out for lights, which was opposed by all the Days, who protested against burning daylight.”

“The place⟳ was but scantily lighted, for the community at present⟳ could ill afford⟳ to burn daylight.”

“High on the list of iniquities was “burning daylight,” resorting to artificial light⟳ unnecessarily during the day.”

“Mercutio. Come⟳, we burn daylight, ho! Romeo. Nay, that's not so. Mercutio. I mean⟳, sir, in delay⟳. We waste⟳ our lights in vain, like⟳ lamps by day.”

“Brad calls out, “Let's not burn daylight when there's work⟳ to be done!””

“Said he knows how Jack hates to burn daylight—so he'll be here afore you pull⟳ out.”

“Now, let's head out, ma'am. We're burning daylight,””

“You will find⟳ that the time goes quickly, so don't burn daylight—get⟳ marketing!”

“Without anything to look⟳ forward⟳ to that night, I settled into a very slow pace just trying to burn daylight.”

CEFR level