Popular English Time Idioms
Here are 30 of the most common and useful English idioms related to time, clocks, and scheduling, complete with their meanings and everyday examples:
1. Against the clock
Meaning: Doing something in a great hurry before a specific deadline.
Example: "We were working against the clock to finish the project before the offices closed for the weekend."
2. Around the clock
Meaning: Happening continuously all day and all night without stopping.
Example: "The medical team worked around the clock to help the patients after the accident."
3. Behind the times
Meaning: Old-fashioned; out of date or not adopting modern trends and technology.
Example: "Our office computer system is a bit behind the times, so we need an upgrade."
4. Better late than never
Meaning: It is better for something to happen or someone to arrive late than to not happen or arrive at all.
Example: "John finally arrived at the party two hours late, but better late than never!"
5. In the nick of time
Meaning: At the last possible moment, just before it is too late.
Example: "The train was just about to leave the platform, but we boarded it in the nick of time."
6. Kill time
Meaning: To do something temporary just to pass the time while waiting for something else to happen.
Example: "We had a three-hour delay at the airport, so we played cards to kill time."
7. Time flies
Meaning: Time seems to pass surprisingly quickly.
Example: "I can't believe your son is already graduating from university; time flies!"
8. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely or almost never.
Example: "My brother lives abroad, so we only get to see him once in a blue moon."
9. Call it a day
Meaning: To decide to stop working on something for the rest of the day.
Example: "We've made excellent progress on this report, so let's call it a day and go home."
10. Crunch time
Meaning: A short, crucial period of time when urgent decisions must be made or heavy effort is required to meet a deadline.
Example: "It's crunch time; our final exam starts tomorrow morning, so we must study tonight."
11. Time will tell
Meaning: The true truth or final outcome of a situation will only become clear in the future.
Example: "They invested a lot of money into the new restaurant; only time will tell if it succeeds."
12. Living on borrowed time
Meaning: Existing or surviving longer than expected, and likely to come to an end very soon.
Example: "This old car has done over 200,000 miles; it is definitely living on borrowed time."
13. Third time's a charm
Meaning: The superstition that the third attempt at doing something will finally be successful.
Example: "I failed my driving test twice, but the third time's a charm!"
14. High time
Meaning: It is past the proper time for something to be done; it should happen immediately.
Example: "It is high time you painted the living room ceiling; it looks terrible."
15. In no time
Meaning: Very rapidly; almost instantly or within a very short duration.
Example: "Take this shortcut through the park and you will arrive at the station in no time."
16. Beat the clock
Meaning: To finish a task successfully before a specific time limit runs out.
Example: "She managed to answer the last exam question just before the bell rang, beating the clock."
17. Ahead of time
Meaning: Happening or done earlier than scheduled or expected; in advance.
Example: "If you finish your assignments ahead of time, you can relax over the weekend."
18. On time
Meaning: At the exact planned or scheduled time; not early and not late.
Example: "Please make sure you arrive on time for your morning interview."
19. In the long run
Meaning: Over a long period of time into the future; eventually.
Example: "Buying a high-quality appliance is more expensive now, but it saves money in the long run."
20. Make up for lost time
Meaning: To do a lot of an activity quickly because you did not have the opportunity to do it earlier.
Example: "They hadn't seen each other for ten years, so they stayed up all night talking to make up for lost time."
21. Time is money
Meaning: Time is a valuable resource, so work should be done efficiently without wasting any moments.
Example: "Please don't waste time with long explanations; remember that time is money."
22. Take your time
Meaning: There is no need to hurry; complete a task at your own comfortable pace.
Example: "Take your time reviewing the legal contract before you sign it."
23. Turn back the hands of time
Meaning: To return to the past or change a past event to how it used to be.
Example: "I wish I could turn back the hands of time and fix the mistake I made."
24. Hard time
Meaning: A period of difficulty, suffering, or distress.
Example: "He went through a hard time after he lost his job last year."
25. Standard time
Meaning: The official local time established by law within a country or geographic region.
Example: "The flight schedule operates strictly on Greenwich Mean Standard Time."
26. Just a matter of time
Meaning: Something is completely certain to happen eventually in the future.
Example: "She works so hard that it is just a matter of time before she gets a promotion."
27. Big time
Meaning: To a supreme degree; completely, heavily, or at the highest level of success.
Example: "After his appearance in the blockbuster film, he made it into the big time."
28. Free time
Meaning: Leisure time when a person is not working and has no compulsory duties.
Example: "What do you enjoy doing in your free time over the weekends?"
29. Ship has sailed
Meaning: An opportunity has already passed and is no longer available to be taken.
Example: "I wanted to apply for that job vacancy, but the closing date passed so that ship has sailed."
30. At the drop of a hat
Meaning: Doing something instantly without any delay, hesitation, or prior planning.
Example: "If they offered me a teaching position in London, I would pack my bags at the drop of a hat."
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