" fill in time" or " fill in the time "??

Question

Whic one is correct?1.) She flipped through a magazine to fill in time.2.) She flipped through a magazine to fill in the time.

Peaceblinkfriend · Accepted Answer

Hi

I would probably say "she flipped through a magazine to fill the time".

She flipped through a magazine just to fill in the time.

"fill in time" doesn't sound right to me.

Hope I helped.

PBF

Yankee · Answer

Hi

As PBF said, "fill the time" would be OK. However, it would be more common to say "pass the time".

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you guys. "fill in time" and " fill in the time" are from Longman's on line dictionary.
I think the Longman Dictionary made a mistake.Please see the following:

http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/fill_1

fill in

phrasal verb

1

document

fill something ? in

to write all the necessary information on an official document, form etc:
(missing image) Don't forget to fill in your boarding cards.

2

tell somebody news

fill somebody ? in

to tell someone about recent events, especially because they have been away from a place
fill somebody ? in on
(missing image) I think you'd better fill me in on what's been happening.

3

crack/hole

fill something ? in

to put a substance into a hole, crack etc so it is completely full and level

4

fill in time

to spend time doing something unimportant because you are waiting for something to happen:
(missing image) She flipped through a magazine tofill in the time.

5

space

fill something ? in

to paint or draw over the space inside a shape

6

do somebody's jobto do someone's job because they are not there
fill in for
(missing image) I'm filling in for Joe for a few days.

CalifJim · Answer

I'd say
She flipped through a magazine to fill time. (No in.) Or, to pass (the) time.
CJ

Clive · Answer

Hi,
We sometimes say 'to kill time', which usually suggests the person is bored.

Clive

" fill in time" or " fill in the time "??

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