To fritter away one's time; to let time slip by unproductively; to waste precious time.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Tang Dynasty, the poet Li Qi achieved the rank of *jinshi* (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) at the age of 40. He served as the county magistrate of Xinxiang.
Later, feeling disillusioned with official life, he resigned and retreated to a secluded life, dedicating himself entirely to writing poetry. When his friend Wei Wan set off for the capital to pursue fame and an official career, Li Qi composed a farewell poem titled "Sending Wei Wan to the Capital."
In this poem, he included the cautionary lines: "The dawn at the border pass urges the approach of cold, the sound of fulling blocks from the imperial garden is often heard in the evening. Do not be tempted by the pleasures of Chang'an, lest you idly waste your time."