Time is like a river that keeps flowing, never stopping for anyone. Have you ever heard the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun”? This is just one of the many idioms about time we use in English. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say but have a hidden meaning. In this post, we’ll explore some interesting idioms about time to help you learn and understand English vocabulary better. Whether you’re a kid, a student, or someone learning English, these phrases will add color to your conversations and make you sound like a native speaker!
What Does Mean Time?
Time is a measurement that tells us how long something lasts, from seconds to centuries. It’s like an invisible clock that ticks away, organizing our days, years, and lives. We use time to schedule our activities, remember past events, and plan for the future. It’s a constant, moving force that never waits.
Idioms About Time
1. Against the clock
Meaning: Rushed
- Racing against the clock to finish.
- Worked against the clock, very stressful.
- Deadline approaching, against the clock now.
2. Around the clock
Meaning: Continuously
- Nurses working around the clock.
- Surveillance runs around the clock.
- Studied around the clock for finals.
3. At the eleventh hour
Meaning: Last-minute
- Made changes at the eleventh hour.
- Decision came at the eleventh hour.
- Submitted application at the eleventh hour.
4. Beat the clock
Meaning: Outpace
- Managed to beat the clock again.
- Beat the clock with seconds left.
- Always trying to beat the clock.
5. Better late than never
Meaning: Delayed
- Finally arrived, better late than never.
- Submitted late, but better late than never.
- Better late than never, he joked.
6. Bide one’s time
Meaning: Wait
- Just biding my time for now.
- Bide your time, then strike.
- He’s biding his time patiently.
7. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just-in-time
- Arrived in the nick of time.
- Saved by the bell, nick of time.
- Finished in the nick of time.
8. On borrowed time
Meaning: Limited
- Living on borrowed time now.
- Old car running on borrowed time.
- Feels like we’re on borrowed time.
9. Out of time
Meaning: Expired
- We’re out of time, stop now.
- The clock ran out, out of time.
- Out of time for more revisions.
10. Time flies
Meaning: Fast
- Can’t believe how time flies!
- Time flies when you’re having fun.
- Look how much time flies!
11. Time is money
Meaning: Valuable
- Remember, time is money!
- Wasting time is losing money.
- In business, time is money.
12. A race against time
Meaning: Hurry
- It’s a race against time now.
- Finishing this is a race against time.
- A race against time to save him.
13. A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: Preventative
- Fix it now; a stitch in time.
- A stitch in time, less work later.
- A stitch in time saves effort.
14. Ahead of time
Meaning: Early
- Finished the project ahead of time.
- Arrived ahead of time, waited.
- Always submit assignments ahead of time.
15. Behind the times
Meaning: Outdated
- His ideas are behind the times.
- Don’t be so behind the times.
- Technology that’s behind the times.
16. Big time
Meaning: Majorly
- He failed big time.
- Succeeded big time at the contest.
- Enjoyed themselves big time at the party.
17. Borrowed time
Meaning: Temporary
- Living on borrowed time.
- Their agreement is on borrowed time.
- Feels like borrowed time with her.
18. Crunch time
Meaning: Critical
- It’s crunch time at work.
- Finals week is crunch time.
- Crunch time for the project team.
19. From time to time
Meaning: Occasionally
- I see him from time to time.
- From time to time, we chat.
- Check the oven from time to time.
20. In good time
Meaning: Promptly
- Arrived in good time for dinner.
- Will finish the job in good time.
- Made it in good time, thankfully.
21. In the fullness of time
Meaning: Eventually
- Everything will resolve in fullness of time.
- In the fullness of time, you’ll understand.
- Patience, it’ll come in fullness of time.
22. In the meantime
Meaning: Meanwhile
- In the meantime, stay busy.
- We wait; in the meantime, we prepare.
- In the meantime, read this.
23. Kill time
Meaning: Pass
- Found ways to kill time.
- Just killing time till he arrives.
- How do you usually kill time?
24. Make up for lost time
Meaning: Recover
- Racing to make up for lost time.
- After illness, made up for lost time.
- Working extra, making up for lost time.
25. On the dot
Meaning: Precise
- Meeting starts at seven, on the dot.
- Be there at eight on the dot.
- Train leaves at nine on the dot.
26. Pressed for time
Meaning: Rushed
- Sorry, I’m pressed for time today.
- Can’t chat, pressed for time.
- Pressed for time, must hurry.
27. Time on one’s hands
Meaning: Available
- Suddenly had time on my hands.
- Lots of time on his hands now.
- Time on your hands? Start a hobby.
28. Time’s up
Meaning: Ended
- Time’s up, pencils down.
- Heard the buzzer; time’s up.
- Time’s up, we need to go.
29. Turn back the clock
Meaning: Revert
- Wish we could turn back the clock.
- Can’t turn back the clock, unfortunately.
- If only turning back the clock was possible.
30. Waste no time
Meaning: Expedite
- We’ll waste no time getting started.
- Wasted no time in responding.
- He wasted no time in agreeing.
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