burn daylight

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To use artificial light during the daytime when one could simply use the sunlight.

   • 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.
2. 2

   To waste time.

   • 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.

The neighborhood