FRITTER AWAY Meaning and
Definition
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Fritter away is a phrasal verb that is used to describe the act of wasting or squandering something valuable, such as time, money, or opportunities, in a careless, aimless, or unproductive manner. The term "fritter" originally referred to a small, fried cake or pastry made with batter or dough, and the verb usage of "fritter away" draws upon this culinary imagery to convey the idea of breaking something into a series of small and insignificant pieces.
Essentially, when someone fritters away something, they gradually dissipate it in a frivolous or thoughtless manner, without obtaining any substantial benefit or outcome. For instance, an individual may fritter away a considerable amount of their free time by spending hours mindlessly browsing social media or engaging in unproductive tasks, while neglecting more important responsibilities or goals. Similarly, one might fritter away a significant sum of money by spending it on unnecessary or fleeting pleasures instead of investing it wisely or saving it for the future.
The notion of frittering away implies a lack of focus, deliberation, or control over how resources are being utilized, resulting in a dissipation or diminishment of their value. It suggests a careless attitude towards resource management, often leading to regret or dissatisfaction over the wasted potential. Thus, the term serves as a cautionary reminder to be mindful of how one allocates and utilizes their resources, whether it be time, money, or opportunities, in order to make the most out of them and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Common Misspellings for FRITTER AWAY
- dritter away
- critter away
- vritter away
- gritter away
- tritter away
- rritter away
- feitter away
- fditter away
- ffitter away
- ftitter away
- f5itter away
- f4itter away
- frutter away
- frjtter away
- frktter away
- frotter away
- fr9tter away
- fr8tter away
- frirter away
Etymology of FRITTER AWAY
The word "fritter away" has a straightforward etymology.
The verb "fritter" originated in the early 17th century and is derived from the noun "fritter", which appeared in the late Middle English from Old French "friture". This noun referred to fried food made by coating something in batter and deep-frying it.
Over time, the verb "fritter" evolved from describing the act of preparing fritters to denote the action of squandering or wasting something valuable, such as time, money, or opportunities. The expression "fritter away" emerged, combining the verb "fritter" with the adverb "away", emphasizing the notion of gradually wasting or dissipating something.
Idioms with the word FRITTER AWAY
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fritter away sth
The idiom "fritter away something" means to waste or squander something, typically in a thoughtless or careless manner. It refers to the act of using up or dissipating something valuable, such as time, money, or resources, on unimportant or trivial matters, without making good use of it.
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fritter away
To fritter away means to waste time, money, or energy on trivial or unimportant things instead of using them in a productive or efficient manner.
Similar spelling words for FRITTER AWAY
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