burn daylight

verb2

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. — 1819
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. — 1595