51 Time Idioms With Their Meanings & Examples
Have you got some time on your hands? Discover 51 idioms about time, along with their meanings and examples, to enhance your English skills.
Time is a precious commodity! It’s often said that time waits for no one. In the English language, countless idioms and expressions about time appear in our daily conversations and are well worth learning. Whether you’re racing against the clock or making up for lost time, these phrases can help you express your thoughts more vividly.
You could say it’s about time that you started learning time-related idioms to enrich your English and communicate more naturally!
51 Idioms About Time
Here are 51 idioms about time, along with their meanings and examples.
Against the clock
If you are working “against the clock,” you are racing to complete a task before a deadline.
Example: “We’re working against the clock to finish the project before Friday.”
A laugh a minute
This phrase describes someone who is exceptionally funny or entertaining.
Example: “John’s great. He’s a laugh a minute.”
A mile a minute
If something is happening “a mile a minute,” it’s happening very quickly.
Example: “The news travels a mile a minute in our office.”
Around the clock
When something is done “around the clock,” it means it continues without stopping, day and night.
Example: “The hospital provides around-the-clock care for patients.”
A stitch in time saves nine
Taking care of a problem early prevents bigger issues later.
Example: Fixing the leak now is essential; a stitch in time saves nine.
Beat the clock
You manage to finish something before the deadline.
Example: I had to rush, but I beat the clock and submitted my report early.
Better late than never
It’s better to do something late than not do it at all.
Example: He finally apologized. Better late than never!
Call it a day
You decide to stop working for the day.
Example: I’m exhausted; let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.
Change of pace
You switch to a different activity for variety.
Example: I love hiking, but today I need a change of pace and will relax at home.
Down to the wire
You do something just before the deadline.
Example: I worked on my project down to the wire, but I made it just in time.
From time to time
Occasionally or sometimes.
Example: I like to go hiking from time to time to clear my mind.
In the nick of time
Just at the right moment, often before it’s too late.
Example: She arrived in the nick of time to catch her flight.
It’s about time
You express relief that something has finally happened.
Example: It’s about time you got here; we’ve been waiting for hours!
It’s high time
You use this phrase to indicate that it’s overdue for something to happen.
“It’s high time we addressed the issues in our community.”
Keep the ball rolling
You maintain progress or keep things going.
Example: Let’s keep the ball rolling with this project to meet our deadline.
Like clockwork
If something happens “like clockwork,” it occurs smoothly and predictably.
Example: “Our meetings run like clockwork every Tuesday.”
Like there’s no tomorrow
To do something “like there’s no tomorrow” means to act impulsively or without thought for the future.
Example: “She spends money like there’s no tomorrow.”
Long time no see
This informal greeting indicates it has been a while since you last met someone.
Example: “Hi, Sarah! Long time no see!”
Make time
You find time to do something despite a busy schedule.
Example: I’ll make time for you next week; let’s catch up then.
Make up for lost time
To do something faster or more frequently to compensate for not having done it earlier.
Example: We didn’t spend much time together last year, so I want to make up for lost time during our trip.
Now and then
When something happens “now and then,” it occurs occasionally or sporadically.
Example: “I visit my grandparents now and then.”
On borrowed time
Living or functioning in a precarious or uncertain state.
Example: After that injury, he felt like he was on borrowed time with his athletic career.
On the dot
Exactly at the scheduled time.
Example: The meeting starts at 3 PM on the dot, so don’t be late.
Once in a blue moon
Something that happens very rarely.
Example: We go out to dinner once in a blue moon, usually just for special occasions.
Out of the blue
Something happens unexpectedly or without warning.
Example: She called me out of the blue after years of no contact.
Race against time
To hurry in order to complete something before a deadline.
Example: We’re in a race against time to finish the project before the deadline.
Run out of time
You do not have enough time to finish something.
Example: I ran out of time to complete my homework before class.
Save time
To make something more efficient, allowing for less time spent.
Example: Using templates can save time when preparing documents.
Spur of the moment
An action taken on the “spur of the moment” is impulsive and unplanned.
Example: “Going to the concert was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”
The eleventh hour
This expression refers to something happening at the last possible moment.
Example: “I remembered my study material at the eleventh hour before the exam started.”
The moment of truth
This expression refers to a critical time when a decision must be made or a challenge faced.
Example: “The moment of truth is when we see if our hard work pays off.”
The ship has sailed
You use this phrase to indicate that an opportunity has passed or is no longer available.
Example: “I wanted to apply for that job, but now the ship has sailed.”
The time is ripe
This means the moment is ideal for taking action.
Example: “The time is ripe for us to launch our new project.”
Time flies
Time seems to pass quickly.
Example: Time flies when you’re having fun during vacations.
Time is money
Time is a valuable resource, often equated with money.
Example: In business, time is money; every minute counts.
Time on your hands
Having “time on your hands” means you have extra time available.
Example: “With summer vacation coming up, I’ll have plenty of time on my hands.”
Time waits for no one
Time continues to pass regardless of circumstances; it won’t pause for anyone.
Example: You need to start studying for your exams now. Time waits for no one!
Time will tell
The truth or outcome will be revealed in the future.
Example: Will the new product succeed? Time will tell.
To call it a day
To “call it a day” means to stop working or to conclude an activity.
Example: “I’m exhausted; let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.”
To do time (to serve time)
This colloquial phrase refers to serving a prison sentence.
Example: “He’s doing time for fraud.”
To have a whale of a time
This means to have a fantastic time or enjoy oneself greatly.
Example: “We had a whale of a time at the amusement park!”
To hit the big time
This idiom means to achieve significant success or fame.
Example: “After years of hard work, she finally hit the big time.”
To kill time
To “kill time” means to engage in trivial activities while waiting for something.
Example: “I browsed my phone to kill time before the meeting.”
To lose track of time
This phrase means to become unaware of how much time has passed.
Example: “I lost track of time while reading that captivating book.”
To make up for lost time
This means to do something more quickly or frequently to compensate for previous delays.
Example: “After being sick, I’m eager to make up for lost time in my studies.”
To turn back time
This idiom expresses a desire to return to a previous moment or state.
Example: “If only I could turn back time to relive my childhood.”
Turn back the hands of time
To wish you could change the past.
Example: Sometimes I wish I could turn back the hands of time and redo my choices.
Under the wire
Just before a deadline or cutoff.
Example: He submitted his application under the wire, just before the deadline.
Your time is up
You have reached the limit of time allowed for something.
Example: Your time is up; please hand in your exam papers.
You can’t turn back the clock
You cannot change the past, so you should focus on the present.
Example: Mistakes happen, but you can’t turn back the clock; just learn from them.
Time Idioms: Call it a Day
That concludes our list of idioms about time. If you’ve run out of time don’t worry, you can always return to this list in the future.
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