Idioms about Time You need to know Today
The saying “better late than never” shows how important time is in our lives. This article looks at different idioms about time, explaining what they mean and examples. Knowing these phrases improves our conversations and captures human experiences.
Introduction to Idioms about Time
Idioms about time show how different cultures view time. Phrases like “time flies” express common feelings about how we feel time passing. These idioms about time capture complex emotions in a few words, like “running out of time.”
They help turn discussions into lively stories, reflecting various cultural views on time. Clocks measure time the same way everywhere, people’s experiences of it can differ greatly across cultures.
Idioms about Time
- Time flies
Meaning: Time passes very quickly.
Example: Time flies when you’re having fun.
- In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Very quickly.
Example: The summer was over in the blink of an eye.
- In no time
Meaning: Very soon.
Example: He fixed the computer in no time.
- Before you know it
Meaning: Something will happen so fast you won’t notice it.
Example: Keep working hard and before you know it, you’ll be a fluent speaker.
- Just like that
Meaning: Suddenly and unexpectedly.
Example: He disappeared just like that, without saying goodbye.
- Time marches on
Meaning: Time continues to pass, no matter what.
Example: We may want to stay young, but time marches on.
- In the twinkling of an eye
Meaning: In an instant; very quickly.
Example: The car vanished in the twinkling of an eye.
- In a flash
Meaning: Very quickly.
Example: She was gone in a flash after hearing the news.
- A matter of time
Meaning: Something is sure to happen eventually.
Example: It’s only a matter of time before they find out the story.
- Like clockwork
Meaning: Happens regularly as planned.
Example: The trains in Japan run like clockwork.
Idioms about Time that is Being Late or Early
- Better late than never
Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all.
Example: She finally submitted the assignment, better late than never!
- Behind the times
Meaning: Old-fashioned or not up to date.
Example: My grandfather is really behind the times, he still uses a flip phone.
- Cut it fine
Meaning: Finish just in time.
Example: You’re cutting it fine if you leave the house now; the train leaves in 10 minutes.
- Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before the deadline.
Example: They managed to beat the clock and finish the test with two minutes to spare.
- Miss the boat
Meaning: Miss an opportunity.
Example: If you don’t apply now, you’ll miss the boat.
- Run out the clock
Meaning: Waste time deliberately to avoid action.
Example: The team tried to run out the clock to secure their lead.
- In the nick of time
Meaning: Just in time.
Example: He arrived in the nick of time for the interview.
- Get a head start
Meaning: Start earlier than others.
Example: Let’s get a head start on the project this weekend.
- Jump the gun
Meaning: Start too early, before the proper time.
Example: Don’t jump the gun, we need approval before moving forward.
- On the dot
Meaning: Exactly on time.
Example: The meeting starts at 9 a.m. on the dot.
Idioms about Wasting or Saving Time
- Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable, so don’t waste it.
Example: Let’s not waste any time, time is money.
- Kill time
Meaning: Do something to pass the time while waiting.
Example: We played cards to kill time while waiting.
- Waste time
Meaning: Use time inefficiently.
Example: Stop wasting time and start working.
- Save time
Meaning: Do something in a way that uses less time.
Example: Using a dishwasher really saves time.
- Make time
Meaning: Find time for something important.
Example: You need to make time for your health.
- Bide your time
Meaning: Wait patiently for the right moment.
Example: He’s biding his time until the right opportunity comes.
- Take your time
Meaning: Don’t rush.
Example: Take your time and do it properly.
- Buy some time
Meaning: Delay something to gain extra time.
Example: She asked a question to buy some time before presenting.
- Lose track of time
Meaning: Forget how much time has passed.
Example: I lost track of time while reading.
- On borrowed time
Meaning: Living or operating beyond the expected end.
Example: After the engine problem, that old car is on borrowed time.
Idioms about Time Pressure or Deadlines
- Against the clock
Meaning: Working with a tight deadline.
Example: We’re racing against the clock to finish this report.
- Race against time
Meaning: Try to finish before the deadline.
Example: It’s a race against time to rescue the trapped miners.
- Time crunch
Meaning: Not enough time to complete tasks.
Example: There’s a serious time crunch during finals week.
- Last-minute rush
Meaning: A hurried effort just before a deadline.
Example: There’s always a last-minute rush before a wedding.
- Eleventh hour
Meaning: At the last possible moment.
Example: They reached an agreement at the eleventh hour.
- Under the wire
Meaning: Just before the deadline.
Example: We submitted our assignment just under the wire.
- Running out of time
Meaning: Not having much time left.
Example: We’re running out of time—hurry up!
- Pressed for time
Meaning: In a hurry, having little time.
Example: I’m pressed for time right now. Can we talk later?
- Cut-off point
Meaning: A deadline after which nothing is accepted.
Example: Applications received after the cut-off point won’t be accepted.
- Clock is ticking
Meaning: Time is running out.
Example: The clock is ticking on the climate crisis.
Idioms about Time that is Right
- At the right time
Meaning: When the moment is best or appropriate.
Example: Everything will fall into place at the right time.
- Now or never
Meaning: It’s the only opportunity.
Example: It’s now or never, ask her out!
- Strike while the iron is hot
Meaning: Take action at the best moment.
Example: He struck while the iron was hot and launched his startup.
- Perfect timing
Meaning: Exactly the right moment.
Example: You called with perfect timing, we just got great news!
- All in good time
Meaning: Be patient, the right time will come.
Example: You’ll find the answer, all in good time.
- On time
Meaning: Not early or late.
Example: The train arrived on time.
- Timely manner
Meaning: Within the right time frame.
Example: Please submit your application in a timely manner.
- In due course
Meaning: When the time is right.
Example: You’ll receive a response in due course.
- Seize the moment
Meaning: Take advantage of the current opportunity.
Example: She seized the moment and shared her idea with the owner of company.
- Just in time
Meaning: Almost too late but not quite.
Example: We got there just in time to catch the start of the movie.
Idioms about Past or Future
Meaning: Very rarely.
Example: He visits us once in a blue moon.
- Back in the day
Meaning: A long time ago.
Example: Back in the day, we didn’t have smartphones.
- In the long run
Meaning: Over a long period of time.
Example: Eating healthy pays off in the long run.
- Time flies
Meaning: Time passes quickly.
Example: Time flies when you’re having fun.
- Ahead of your time
Meaning: Innovative before others.
Example: Her art was ahead of its time.
- From time to time
Meaning: Occasionally.
Example: I check in with old friends from time to time.
- Long time no see
Meaning: Haven’t seen someone in a while.
Example: Hey, long time no see! How have you been?
- Before your time
Meaning: Something that happened before you were around.
Example: That band was famous before your time.
- In the near future
Meaning: Soon.
Example: We’ll be upgrading the system in the near future.
- Looking back
Meaning: Reflecting on the past.
Example: Looking back, I wish I had studied harder.
Idioms about Days, Hours or Seasons
- c
Meaning: Stop working for the day.
Example: Let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.
- Day in and day out
Meaning: Every single day.
Example: He works hard day in and day out.
- In the cold light of day
Meaning: Thinking more clearly in the morning.
Example: In the cold light of day, his plan seemed ridiculous.
- Make someone’s day
Meaning: Make someone very happy.
Example: Your compliment really made my day.
- Red-letter day
Meaning: A very special or important day.
Example: Graduation was a red-letter day for her family.
- Around the clock
Meaning: All day and night.
Example: The nurses worked around the clock during the emergency.
- At the eleventh hour
Meaning: Very last moment.
Example: He changed his decision at the eleventh hour.
- High time
Meaning: It’s the right or overdue time to do something.
Example: It’s high time you cleaned your room!
- Dog days of summer
Meaning: The hottest days of the year.
Example: The dog days of summer are perfect for beach trips.
- Spring into action
Meaning: Start working quickly and energetically.
Example: When the alarm went off, the firefighters sprang into action.
Funny Idioms about Time
- Like watching paint dry
Meaning: Something extremely boring.
Example: That lecture was like watching paint dry.
- Better three hours too soon than a minute too late
Meaning: Dramatizing punctuality.
Example: He’s so early, believes in being three hours too soon rather than a minute too late!
- All the time in the world
Meaning: Sarcastic way of saying someone is slow.
Example: You’re walking like you’ve got all the time in the world!
- Time stood still
Meaning: A moment that felt frozen.
Example: When she walked in, time stood still.
- Not born yesterday
Meaning: Not easily fooled; experienced.
Example: Don’t try to fool me, I wasn’t born yesterday.
- Living on borrowed time
Meaning: Humorously used when narrowly escaping trouble.
Example: After the surgery, she felt like she was living on borrowed time.
- Time waits for no man
Meaning: Time keeps moving, ready or not.
Example: Let’s get moving—time waits for no man!
- Burning daylight
Meaning: Wasting time during the day.
Example: Get up! You’re burning daylight.
- Five o’clock shadow
Meaning: Facial stubble appearing late in the day.
Example: He already has a five o’clock shadow by noon
- Monday morning quarterback
Meaning: Criticizing with the benefit of hindsight.
Example: He’s a real Monday morning quarterback, criticizing everything after the fact.
