Idly

Examples

• Nothing more was said on this theme, and Mr. Harthouse was soon idly gay on indifferent subjects. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
• They are beautiful, replied Crispin idly; I have often thought of translating some of them into English. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
• I wonder you don't smoke, Caliphronas, said Maurice, idly watching the Greek with half-closed eyes. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
• He that wastes idly a groat's worth of his time per day, one day with another, wastes the privilege of using one hundred pounds each day. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
• Wildeve laughed to himself, remained a moment thinking, and idly returned to the front room. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
• He that idly loses five shillings' worth of time, loses five shillings, and might as prudently throw five shillings into the sea. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
• Or Hylas, suggested the Rector idly. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
• He often left Perdita, to wander in the grounds alone; or in a light shallop he floated idly on the pure waters, musing deeply. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
• The gushing fountains which sparkle in the sun, must not be stopped in mere caprice; the oasis in the desert of Sahara must not be plucked up idly. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
• At first I found Mr. Skimpole there, on two or three occasions, idly playing the piano and talking in his usual vivacious strain. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
• The poet was evidently inspired by Byron, remarked Crispin, idly fingering the piano keys; I expect he wrote it after the 'Isles of Greece,' song. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
• He was idly beating the branches as he lounged along: or he stooped viciously to rip the moss from the trees with his stick. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
• Such feeling as Eustacia had idly given to Wildeve was dammed into a flood by Thomasin. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
• He stopped idly, and looked at them. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
• She idly watched him as he occasionally climbed up in the nook of the bank and stood beside the brands. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
• And yet my thoughts were idle; not intent on the calamity that weighed upon my heart, but idly loitering near it. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
• He that spends a groat a day idly, spends idly above six pounds a year, which is the price for the use of one hundred pounds. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
• Keep it, certainly, said Wildeve, who had idly watched the scene from a distance. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
• Mr. Blake idly turned over the books on his bedroom table. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
• A shilling spent idly by a fool may be picked up by a wiser person, who knows better what to do with it. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
• But the wind blew idly over it, and no sound arose to the surface, and they sat upon the grass, waiting and waiting. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
• The reddleman suddenly ceased to talk idly. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.

Edited by Josie