消磨 (xiāo mó): to wear down; to sap; to whittle away; to while away; to idle away

Every afternoon he stays home watching TV to pass the time, but he's actually very anxious inside, because he's sent out several job application letters and hasn't heard back from any of them.

The long train journey was boring, but luckily I had brought a novel, so I could slowly while away the hours on the road.

Repeated failures wore down his fighting spirit, and he began to doubt whether he was suited for this line of work at all.

After retiring, Grandpa grows flowers and keeps birds in the small courtyard, living a leisurely life, thus passing his tranquil later years.

He wasted a lot of time on mobile games, and as a result he failed several courses in the final exams; now it's too late to regret it.