Time idioms

**1. Against the Clock**
– **Meaning:** Working under time pressure or with a deadline.
– **Example:** She was racing against the clock to finish the project on time.

**2. Kill Time**
– **Meaning:** To engage in an activity to pass the time.
– **Example:** While waiting for the train, he killed time by reading a book.

**3. Time Flies**
– **Meaning:** Time passes quickly.
– **Example:** It feels like time flies when you’re having fun.

**4. In the Nick of Time**
– **Meaning:** Just in time, at the last possible moment.
– **Example:** He arrived at the airport in the nick of time to catch his flight.

**5. Once in a Blue Moon**
– **Meaning:** Very rarely, almost never.
– **Example:** She visits her hometown once in a blue moon.

**6. Bide One’s Time**
– **Meaning:** To wait patiently for the right moment or opportunity.
– **Example:** He decided to bide his time and wait for the right job offer.

**7. Have a Whale of a Time**
– **Meaning:** To have a great time or a lot of fun.
– **Example:** The kids had a whale of a time at the amusement park.

**8. Make Up for Lost Time**
– **Meaning:** To compensate for time that has been wasted or lost.
– **Example:** After being apart for years, they tried to make up for lost time.

**9. Time Heals All Wounds**
– **Meaning:** The emotional pain caused by a difficult situation will diminish over time.
– **Example:** She believed that time would heal the wounds of her broken heart.

**10. Time Is Money**
– **Meaning:** Time should be used efficiently because it has value, just like money.
– **Example:** In the business world, time is money, so we need to work efficiently.

**11. A Matter of Time**
– **Meaning:** Something is expected to happen, but the exact timing is uncertain.
– **Example:** It’s just a matter of time before they announce the winner.

**12. Ahead of One’s Time**
– **Meaning:** Being innovative and thinking beyond the current era.
– **Example:** Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions were ahead of his time.

**13. Third Time’s a Charm**
– **Meaning:** After two unsuccessful attempts, the third one is expected to succeed.
– **Example:** She failed her driving test twice, but they say the third time’s a charm.

**14. Crunch Time**
– **Meaning:** The period of intense pressure and hard work, often near a deadline.
– **Example:** During the exams, it’s crunch time for students who need to study.

**15. Time Will Tell**
– **Meaning:** The true outcome or result will become known in the future.
– **Example:** We’re not sure if the new strategy will succeed, but time will tell.

**16. The Time of Your Life**
– **Meaning:** A period when someone is experiencing great happiness or enjoyment.
– **Example:** Their honeymoon in Hawaii was the time of their lives.

**17. A Stitch in Time Saves Nine**
– **Meaning:** Taking early action to prevent a problem can save a lot of effort and trouble later.
– **Example:** Fixing a small leak in the roof now is a stitch in time that saves nine.

**18. Behind the Times**
– **Meaning:** Outdated or not up to date with current trends or developments.
– **Example:** His fashion sense is behind the times; he still wears clothes from the ’90s.

**19. In No Time**
– **Meaning:** Very quickly or without much delay.
– **Example:** She finished her homework in no time and had the rest of the evening free.

**20. A Watched Pot Never Boils**
– **Meaning:** Time feels longer when you’re anxiously waiting for something to happen.
– **Example:** Stop checking your phone; a watched pot never boils.

**21. Better Late Than Never**
– **Meaning:** It’s better for someone or something to be late than never to arrive or to happen.
– **Example:** John finally apologized for his behavior. Well, better late than never.

**22. Mark My Words**
– **Meaning:** Pay attention to what I’m saying because it will prove to be true.
– **Example:** Mark my words, this project will be a huge success.

**23. Time Flies When You’re Having Fun**
– **Meaning:** Time seems to pass quickly when you’re enjoying yourself.
– **Example:** We were having such a good time at the party that time flew by.

**24. A Watched Clock Never Moves**
– **Meaning:** When you keep checking the time, it seems like time is passing very slowly.
– **Example:** Stop looking at your watch; a watched clock never moves.

**25. Race Against Time**
– **Meaning:** To do something urgently with very little time available.
– **Example:** The rescue team had to race against time to save the hikers trapped on the mountain.

**26. All in Good Time**
– **Meaning:** Be patient; things will happen at the appropriate or right moment.
– **Example:** You’ll find the perfect job, all in good time.

**27. Time and Tide Wait for No Man**
– **Meaning:** Time passes regardless of your actions or wishes, so don’t delay.
– **Example:** Don’t procrastinate; time and tide wait for no man.

**28. In the Fullness of Time**
– **Meaning:** In due course or when the right time comes.
– **Example:** He knew that, in the fullness of time, his hard work would pay off.

**29. Ahead of Time**
– **Meaning:** Being early or completing something before the scheduled time.
– **Example:** She finished the project ahead of time, so she had time for revisions.

**30. Time Out**
– **Meaning:** A break or pause from an activity.
– **Example:** I need to take a time out to clear my thoughts and relax.

**31. Borrow Time**
– **Meaning:** To be alive or continue existing despite expectations of a limited lifespan.
– **Example:** After surviving the accident, he felt like he was living on borrowed time.

**32. Third Time Lucky**
– **Meaning:** After two unsuccessful attempts, the third one is expected to bring success.
– **Example:** He failed the driving test twice, but he hopes the third time will be lucky.

**33. Once upon a Time**
– **Meaning:** A traditional way to begin a story; it means “in the past.”
– **Example:** Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there was a brave prince.

**34. From Time to Time**
– **Meaning:** Occasionally or at irregular intervals.
– **Example:** I like to visit my hometown from time to time to see my family.

**35. Time Is of the Essence**
– **Meaning:** Acting quickly and efficiently is crucial.
– **Example:** When dealing with a medical emergency, time is of the essence.

**36. About Time**
– **Meaning:** Used to express that something should have happened earlier.
– **Example:** It’s about time you got a promotion; you’ve worked hard for it.

**37. Time Travel**
– **Meaning:** To mentally or imaginatively revisit the past or future.
– **Example:** Reading historical books allows you to time travel to different eras.

**38. Race Against the Clock**
– **Meaning:** Working quickly to complete a task before a deadline.
– **Example:** The chefs were in a race against the clock to prepare the meals for the event.

**39. Behind the Times**
– **Meaning:** Not up-to-date or behind current trends.
– **Example:** Their technology is behind the times; they still use flip phones.

**40. In the Meantime**
– **Meaning:** During the time between two events or points in time.
– **Example:** The main course is still cooking; have some appetizers in the meantime.

**41. Buy Time**
– **Meaning:** To delay an event or decision to gain more time.
– **Example:** He agreed to the temporary solution to buy time for further negotiations.

**42. Time is Ripe**
– **Meaning:** The right or opportune moment has arrived.
– **Example:** The time is ripe for us to launch our new product; the market is ready.

**43. Time on Your Hands**
– **Meaning:** Having an abundance of free time.
– **Example:** After retiring, she found herself with a lot of time on her hands.

**44. Time Will Fly**
– **Meaning:** Used to encourage someone to enjoy a moment because it will pass quickly.
– **Example:** Cherish your school years; time will fly, and you’ll miss them.

**45. Cry Over Spilt Milk**
– **Meaning:** To be upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
– **Example:** There’s no use crying over spilt milk; let’s find a solution.

**46. Time Off the Leash**
– **Meaning:** A period when someone is free from work or responsibilities.
– **Example:** Finally, it’s the weekend, and I’m off the leash!

**47. Day in, Day Out**
– **Meaning:** Happening repeatedly and consistently, every day.
– **Example:** He works day in, day out to support his family.

**48. High Time**
– **Meaning:** It’s past the appropriate or expected time for something to happen.
– **Example:** It’s high time you started taking your health seriously.

**49. Only a Matter of Time**
– **Meaning:** Something is expected to happen, and it’s just a question of when.
– **Example:** It’s only a matter of time before they announce the winner.

**50. Time to Spare**
– **Meaning:** Having extra time beyond what is needed.
– **Example:** She finished the project with time to spare, so she reviewed it thoroughly.

**51. Behind Schedule**
– **Meaning:** Not progressing as quickly as planned or expected.
– **Example:** The construction project is behind schedule due to bad weather.

**52. Time is of the Essence**
– **Meaning:** Acting quickly and efficiently is crucial.
– **Example:** When dealing with a medical emergency, time is of the essence.

**53. Watch the Clock**
– **Meaning:** To keep track of the time, especially while waiting for something.
– **Example:** We watched the clock closely as we waited for the results.

**54. Lost in the Sands of Time**
– **Meaning:** Something from the past that is forgotten or no longer relevant.
– **Example:** The old traditions were lost in the sands of time.

**55. The Time is Right**
– **Meaning:** The moment is ideal for taking action.
– **Example:** The time is right to start investing in the stock market.

**56. On Borrowed Time**
– **Meaning:** To live or exist beyond the expected or allotted time.
– **Example:** After the heart surgery, he felt like he was on borrowed time.

**57. In the Test of Time**
– **Meaning:** Proven to be effective or durable over a long period.
– **Example:** Their friendship has stood the test of time; they’ve been friends for decades.

**58. Lose Track of Time**
– **Meaning:** To become unaware of the passing time.
– **Example:** When we’re together, we often lose track of time because we’re having so much fun.

**59. Serve Time**
– **Meaning:** To spend a period in prison as a punishment.
– **Example:** He served time for his involvement in the bank robbery.

**60. Behind the Eight Ball**
– **Meaning:** In a difficult or challenging situation.
– **Example:** Due to budget cuts, the project is behind the eight ball.

**61. **Time Waits for No Man**
– **Meaning:** Time continues to move forward, and you cannot stop or control it.
– **Example:** Don’t delay your dreams; time waits for no man.

**62. **Race the Clock**
– **Meaning:** To hurry to complete a task before time runs out.
– **Example:** We need to race the clock to finish the project by the deadline.

**63. **Crunch Time**
– **Meaning:** A period of intense pressure or high demand, often near a deadline.
– **Example:** It’s crunch time in the office as we prepare for the big presentation.

**64. **The Sands of Time**
– **Meaning:** The idea that time continually passes and cannot be stopped.
– **Example:** As the year ends, we reflect on the sands of time and the memories we’ve made.

**65. **Time and Again**
– **Meaning:** Repeatedly or frequently.
– **Example:** He has proved his dedication time and again through hard work.

**66. **Behind Time**
– **Meaning:** Running late or not on schedule.
– **Example:** The train is behind time, so we’ll have to adjust our plans.

**67. **Waste of Time**
– **Meaning:** Doing something unproductive or futile.
– **Example:** Playing video games all day can feel like a waste of time.

**68. **In Real Time**
– **Meaning:** As events are happening, without delay.
– **Example:** We watched the live broadcast in real time as the event unfolded.

**69. **Time Off for Good Behavior**
– **Meaning:** A reduction in punishment or work hours due to good behavior.
– **Example:** In prison, he earned time off for good behavior and was released early.

**70. **Tight on Time**
– **Meaning:** Having very little time available.
– **Example:** We’re tight on time, so we need to focus on the most important tasks.

**71. **Time-Honored Tradition**
– **Meaning:** A long-standing and respected tradition.
– **Example:** Giving gifts during the holidays is a time-honored tradition.

**72. **Time and Space**
– **Meaning:** The freedom or opportunity to do something without restrictions.
– **Example:** She needed some time and space to think about her decision.

**73. **Time Flies When You’re Busy**
– **Meaning:** Time seems to pass quickly when you have a lot to do.
– **Example:** I didn’t realize it was already evening; time flies when you’re busy.

**74. **Time Is on Your Side**
– **Meaning:** You have enough time to accomplish your goals or tasks.
– **Example:** Don’t rush; time is on your side to finish the project.

**75. **Buy Time**
– **Meaning:** To delay an event or decision to gain more time.
– **Example:** We agreed to the temporary solution to buy time for further planning.

**76. **Behind Time**
– **Meaning:** Not on schedule or running late.
– **Example:** The train is behind time, and passengers are getting impatient.

**77. **Time Well Spent**
– **Meaning:** Using time productively in a way that brings satisfaction or fulfillment.
– **Example:** Our vacation was time well spent; we made lasting memories.

**78. **Make Up for Lost Time**
– **Meaning:** To compensate for time that has been wasted or lost.
– **Example:** After the delay, we need to work hard to make up for lost time.

**79. **A Watched Kettle Never Boils**
– **Meaning:** Time feels longer when you anxiously wait for something to happen.
– **Example:** Stop checking your email; a watched kettle never boils.

**80. **Time to Turn Over a New Leaf**
– **Meaning:** It’s time to make a fresh start or change your behavior.
– **Example:** After the breakup, she decided it was time to turn over a new leaf.

**81. **Make Every Second Count**
– **Meaning:** To use every moment efficiently and productively.
– **Example:** In a competitive job market, it’s essential to make every second count in your career.

**82. **Running Out of Time**
– **Meaning:** Having limited time left to complete a task or achieve a goal.
– **Example:** We’re running out of time to finish the project before the deadline.

**83. **The Time Has Come**
– **Meaning:** It’s the appropriate moment for something to happen or be done.
– **Example:** The time has come for us to make a decision about our future plans.

**84. **Prime Time**
– **Meaning:** The most popular or busiest time, often referring to TV shows or events.
– **Example:** The show airs during prime time, attracting a large viewership.

**85. **All in Good Time**
– **Meaning:** Be patient; things will happen at the appropriate or right moment.
– **Example:** All in good time, you’ll find the job that’s perfect for you.

**86. **Time for Reflection**
– **Meaning:** A period for thinking deeply or contemplating one’s actions and decisions.
– **Example:** The quiet evening provided a perfect time for reflection on life’s choices.

**87. **Time Flies When You’re Not Looking**
– **Meaning:** Time seems to pass quickly when you’re not paying attention.
– **Example:** I didn’t notice how late it had gotten; time flies when you’re not looking.

**88. **The First Time’s the Charm**
– **Meaning:** Success is achieved on the first attempt.
– **Example:** She aced the interview; it seems the first time’s the charm.

**89. **Time is a Great Healer**
– **Meaning:** With time, emotional wounds or pain will fade away.
– **Example:** Losing a loved one is difficult, but remember, time is a great healer.

**90. **Ahead of the Game**
– **Meaning:** Being in a favorable or advantageous position.
– **Example:** Completing the project early put us ahead of the game.

**91. **In Good Time**
– **Meaning:** At the right or appropriate time.
– **Example:** The report will be ready for the presentation in good time.

**92. **Time is Precious**
– **Meaning:** Time is valuable and should be used wisely.
– **Example:** Time is precious, so don’t waste it on trivial matters.

**93. **In the Nick of Time**
– **Meaning:** Just in time, at the last possible moment.
– **Example:** The ambulance arrived in the nick of time to save the injured hiker.

**94. **Time Tested**
– **Meaning:** Proven to be effective or reliable over a long period.
– **Example:** Their time-tested methods have been successful for generations.

**95. **Once Upon a Time**
– **Meaning:** A traditional way to begin a story, often used in fairy tales.
– **Example:** Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there was a brave knight.

**96. **Make Time for Someone**
– **Meaning:** To allocate time in your schedule for someone.
– **Example:** Despite her busy schedule, she always makes time for her family.

**97. **Time to Hit the Sack**
– **Meaning:** It’s time to go to bed and get some sleep.
– **Example:** I have an early meeting tomorrow, so it’s time to hit the sack.

**98. **Time to Settle the Score**
– **Meaning:** It’s time to resolve a conflict or seek justice.
– **Example:** After years of disagreement, it’s time to settle the score and move on.

**99. **Time to Face the Music**
– **Meaning:** It’s time to confront the consequences of one’s actions.
– **Example:** He had been avoiding the issue for too long; now it’s time to face the music.

**100. **Time Well Spent**
– **Meaning:** Using time productively in a way that brings satisfaction or fulfillment.
– **Example:** Our vacation was time well spent; we made lasting memories.