Idioms about time make it easier to talk about deadlines, delays, fleeting moments, and the pace of life.
Here are familiar expressions with clear meanings and examples, plus notes on how to use them naturally.
Idioms about time and their meanings
- Against the clock: Working quickly because a deadline is near.
We worked against the clock to finish the report before noon. - At the eleventh hour: At the last possible moment.
They found a replacement speaker at the eleventh hour. - In the nick of time: Just before it is too late.
The train arrived in the nick of time for us to catch it. - Around the clock: Continuously, throughout the day and night.
Medical staff worked around the clock after the storm. - Once in a blue moon: Very rarely.
He eats dessert once in a blue moon. - At the crack of dawn: Very early in the morning.
We left at the crack of dawn to avoid traffic. - In no time: Very soon or very quickly.
With a little practice, she learned the routine in no time. - For the time being: For now, but not necessarily permanently.
The library is closed for the time being. - In the long run: Over a long period or when the eventual results are considered.
Taking regular breaks may help you work better in the long run. - Time flies: Time seems to pass quickly.
Time flies when we catch up with old friends. - Time is money: Time is valuable, especially in work or business.
We planned the route carefully because time is money on a delivery run. - Make up for lost time: Do something more quickly or energetically after falling behind or missing an opportunity.
After the holiday, the team made up for lost time. - Buy time: Delay a decision or action to gain more time.
She asked a few questions to buy time while she checked the figures. - Behind the times: Old-fashioned or not up to date.
The company replaced its behind-the-times booking system. - Ahead of one’s time: Having ideas or methods that are more advanced than those common in that period.
The designer’s early work was ahead of its time. - Pressed for time: Short of available time.
We were pressed for time, so we ordered food to go. - Have time on your hands: Have free time, sometimes more than you want.
With the project finished, I had time on my hands. - Take your time: Do something at a comfortable pace without rushing.
Take your time reading the instructions. - Time after time: Repeatedly.
Time after time, the volunteers showed up to help. - From time to time: Occasionally.
We still meet for coffee from time to time. - In one’s own time: At a pace or time that suits someone, often outside work hours.
He studied the course materials in his own time. - Call it a day: Stop working for the day.
We have checked every order, so let’s call it a day. - At a moment’s notice: With almost no warning.
The technician can be called out at a moment’s notice. - On borrowed time: Continuing for a limited period when an ending or failure seems likely.
Without repairs, the old boiler is living on borrowed time. - Bide your time: Wait patiently for a suitable opportunity.
She bided her time before asking for a promotion. - Time will tell: The outcome will become clear in the future.
Time will tell whether the new schedule works. - Against time: In a race to finish before a deadline or limit.
The rescue crew worked against time to reach the hikers. - Keep up with the times: Adapt to current ideas, habits, or technology.
The museum updated its exhibits to keep up with the times. - Mark time: Wait without making progress, or continue without moving forward.
The project marked time until the funding decision arrived. - A whale of a time: A very enjoyable time.
The children had a whale of a time at the fair. - Have the time of your life: Enjoy yourself more than you have on other occasions.
They had the time of their lives on the hiking trip. - Time on your side: Have enough time to succeed or make a decision.
We still have time on our side, so there is no need to rush. - Run out of time: Have no time left to finish or do something.
I ran out of time before I could answer the final question. - All in good time: At the appropriate time, even if it is not immediate.
You will hear the results all in good time. - Serve time: Spend time in prison.
The character served time for a crime he did not commit. - Time of day: Attention or consideration, often in the phrase “not give someone the time of day.”
After the argument, she would not give him the time of day. - Better late than never: Doing something late is preferable to not doing it at all.
He finally sent the thank-you note—better late than never. - There’s no time like the present: The best time to start may be now.
If you want to learn to swim, there’s no time like the present. - Kill time: Do something while waiting.
We browsed the bookshop to kill time before our appointment. - Out of date: No longer current or suitable.
The timetable on the noticeboard was out of date.
Choosing the right time idiom
Many time expressions have similar themes but different uses. “At the eleventh hour” emphasizes that an action happened at the last possible moment; “in the nick of time” often suggests that something happened just before a bad outcome. “Against the clock” describes the pressure of working quickly, while “pressed for time” simply means there is little time available.
Some expressions focus on frequency. “Once in a blue moon” means very rarely, while “from time to time” means occasionally. “Time after time” means repeatedly, often with emphasis that something has happened on many separate occasions.
Idioms, proverbs, and ordinary time phrases
An idiom is an established expression whose meaning is not always clear from its individual words. “Buy time,” for example, means delay an action to gain more time; it does not refer to purchasing hours.
A proverb expresses a general piece of advice or observation. “Better late than never” and “There’s no time like the present” are commonly treated as proverbs as well as familiar fixed expressions.
Not every phrase containing the word “time” is an idiom. “The time is six o’clock” uses the ordinary meaning of the word. “Out of date” is a set expression meaning no longer current, but it can refer to a product, document, or idea rather than to the passing of time itself.
How to use time idioms naturally
- Match the tone to the situation. “A whale of a time” is informal and cheerful; “at the eleventh hour” works in both conversation and more formal writing.
- Check the grammar around the expression. You can “make up for lost time,” “be pressed for time,” or “have time on your hands.” Keeping the full phrase intact helps it sound natural.
- Use idioms sparingly in formal writing. In a report, “short of time” may be clearer than a colorful expression such as “against the clock.”
- Use context to make the meaning clear. “They worked around the clock” means they worked continuously; adding what they were doing helps readers understand the situation.