Like watching paint dry

Meaning

Extremely boring.

Usage

Informal complaint about dull events.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Waiting for paint to dry is tedious and slow.

Used since the early 20th century to describe boredom.