Worth their while
/wɜrθ ðɛr waɪl/
B2
Definition
The phrase "worth their while" means that what someone does or the time they spend is useful or rewarding for them. It shows that the result or reward makes their effort or time valuable. People use it to say that something is a good use of time or effort.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
The effort or time someone spends is rewarded or valuable
- •The volunteers found the work worth their while because they helped many people.
- •Studying hard was worth their while when they passed the exam.
- •It’s worth their while to arrive early if they want the best seats.
Something is a good use of time or effort for a person
- •Going to the meeting was worth their while because they learned important information.
- •The extra practice was worth their while to improve their skills.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "worth their while" like "good use of time," but with a feeling that the reward or benefit is fair and satisfying
- ✓Picture someone working hard and then receiving a gift or thanks that makes them happy and feel it was not wasted
- ✓It's the feeling when you study for a test and then get a good grade — your time was worth your while
- ✓Sounds like "worth their while" → imagine someone holding a clock (time) and a treasure chest (reward) together
- ✓Think of stories where characters help others and get a reward, showing their help was worth their while
- ✓NOT like "waste time" (no reward or value), "worth their while" means effort leads to something good
- ✓NOT like "easy" — it can be hard work, but the reward makes it worth doing
- ✓NOT like "free" — you pay with your time or effort, but you get good value back
Try Other Words
- •Rewarding: giving a good result or feeling (Use when emphasizing the positive feeling or benefit after effort)
- •Valuable: having importance or worth (Use when focusing on importance or benefit)
- •Beneficial: helpful or good for someone (Use when focusing on positive effects)
Unboxing
- •Phrase parts: "worth" (value) + "their" (belonging to them) + "while" (a short time)
- •Etymology: "Worth" comes from Old English meaning value or price; "while" means a period of time
- •Historical development: The phrase has been used for centuries to express that time or effort has value or reward
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to say that someone's time or effort is not wasted but brings good results or benefits
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be worth your while even if it is difficult or tiring? Why or why not?
•How do you decide if an activity is worth your while before you start it?
Fill in the blanks
1.They found the extra work worth their while because the ___ was good.
2.It’s worth their while to practice every day if they want to ___ their skills.
3.The reward made all the effort ___ worth their while.
4.Unlike wasting time, when something is worth their while, people feel ___ about their effort.
5.They said the trip was worth their while because they learned a lot and met new ___.
6.If an activity is not worth their while, people usually feel it was a ___ of time.
7.Before starting a job, they asked if it would be worth their while to ___ the effort.