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time idioms
English blogVocabulary

20 Time Idioms

5 min read

20 time idioms

Time is something we talk about every day, and it’s also a big part of how we express ourselves in English. Have you ever heard someone say, “You got here just in the nick of time!” or “I’ll do it in no time”? In this article, we’ll discover 20 time idioms that are commonly used in English. Whether you’re a beginner or just curious about how we talk about time, join us on this journey through the world of time expressions. Let’s get started!

A race against time

To be in a hurry to finish something before a deadline or before it’s too late.

She’s in a race against time to finish her homework before dinner.
The firefighters were in a race against time to rescue the trapped workers before the building collapsed.

Bide one’s time

To wait patiently for the right moment to act or make a decision.

He’s biding his time until his favorite TV show starts.
The team decided to bide their time and gather more information before making a decision on the project.

In the nick of time

Just in time; at the last possible moment.

She arrived at the station in the nick of time to catch her train.
The paramedics arrived in the nick of time to save the drowning child’s life.

Kill time

To do something to make time pass more quickly, especially while waiting for something.

They played games to kill time during the long car ride.
He decided to kill time by reading a book while waiting for the delayed flight.

Make up for lost time

To work or do something more quickly in order to compensate for time that has been lost or wasted.

She worked extra hours to make up for lost time due to the holiday.
After missing several classes due to illness, he worked hard to make up for lost time and catch up with the rest of the students.

On borrowed time

Enjoying life or success that was or still is expected to end soon.

The old car is on borrowed time; it could break down at any moment.
The doctor warned that the cancer patient was on borrowed time and needed to make the most of every moment.

Once in a blue moon

Something that happens very rarely or infrequently.

We only go on vacation once in a blue moon.
Seeing him smile genuinely is a rare occurrence; it happens only once in a blue moon.

Time flies

Time passes quickly; it seems to move rapidly.

Time flies when you’re having fun at the park.
It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since we started our business; time flies when you’re busy.

Time is money

Time should be used productively because it is valuable and can be used to earn money.

Dad always says time is money, so we need to work quickly.
In the world of freelancing, time is money, so efficient time management is essential for success.

Time will tell

The outcome or truth of a situation will only be known with the passage of time.

I don’t know if the plan will work, but time will tell.
We can’t predict the outcome of the experiment; only time will tell if it’s successful.

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To have time on one’s hands

To have free time or be idle.

She had time on her hands after finishing her work early.
With the cancellation of their plans, they suddenly found themselves with time on their hands.

Time to kill

Free time with nothing specific to do.

They arrived at the airport with time to kill before their flight.
After completing her tasks for the day, she had some time to kill before dinner.

Time off

A period of time when one is not working or attending to responsibilities.

He took some time off from work to spend with his family.
After the hectic week, she needed some time off to relax and recharge.

Give someone the time of day

To pay attention to someone, be interested in someone or respect them.

Despite being new to the company, she gave everyone the time of day and listened to their ideas.
He ignored her all evening and didn’t give her the time of day.

Make time

To allocate or create time for something.

She always makes time for her hobbies despite her busy schedule.
He promised to make time for their meeting despite his conflicting appointments.

Stand the test of time

To last for a long time without becoming broken, obsolete, outdated, unimportant.

The classic novel has stood the test of time and is still widely read today.
Their friendship has stood the test of time, enduring through the years.

In no time

Almost immediately, without having to wait much.

He finished his work in no time.
With the new efficiency measures in place, the company was able to complete the project in no time, much to the surprise of their clients.

Third time’s a charm

Believing that after something hasn’t worked out twice, the third time will be successful.

After two failed interviews, she hoped that the third time’s a charm.
He tried to fix the leaky faucet twice before realizing that the third time’s a charm and called a plumber.

Time and time again

Repeatedly; on many occasions.

She has proven herself capable time and time again.
Time and time again, he has shown his dedication to the cause.

Time heals all wounds

Believing that emotional pain or distress will go away with time.

Though the breakup was difficult, she knew that time heals all wounds.
They hoped that with time, the community would heal from the tragedy.

Did you enjoy exploring time idioms? Don’t forget to check out our travel idioms too!

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