- Ahead of time – Earlier than expected.
Example: We arrived at the venue ahead of time. - Against the clock – Rushed and short on time.
Example: The team worked against the clock to finish the project. - At the eleventh hour – At the last possible moment.
Example: He submitted his assignment at the eleventh hour. - All in good time – Something will happen eventually, don’t rush.
Example: You’ll get promoted all in good time. - Around the clock – All day and all night.
Example: The hospital is open around the clock. - Behind the times – Old-fashioned.
Example: His ideas are behind the times. - Beat the clock – Finish before the deadline.
Example: We managed to beat the clock and submit early. - Better late than never – It’s better to do something late than not at all.
Example: He finally apologized—better late than never. - Big time – To a great degree.
Example: He messed up big time. - Bide your time – Wait patiently.
Example: She’s biding her time until she gets the right opportunity. - Call it a day – Stop working for now.
Example: Let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow. - Day in and day out – Repeatedly; constantly.
Example: She studies hard day in and day out. - Every now and then – Occasionally.
Example: I go hiking every now and then. - For good – Permanently.
Example: He moved to Canada for good. - For the time being – Temporarily.
Example: We’re living with my parents for the time being. - From time to time – Occasionally.
Example: I call my old teacher from time to time. - Have a whale of a time – Enjoy a lot.
Example: The kids had a whale of a time at the party. - Have the time of your life – Have an amazing experience.
Example: She had the time of her life in Paris. - High time – The right time to do something.
Example: It’s high time you cleaned your room. - In the long run – Over a long period.
Example: Hard work pays off in the long run. - In no time – Very quickly.
Example: He finished the test in no time. - In the nick of time – Just before it’s too late.
Example: The ambulance arrived in the nick of time. - Keep time – Maintain rhythm.
Example: The drummer kept perfect time. - Lose track of time – Become unaware of time passing.
Example: I lost track of time while reading. - Make time – Find time to do something.
Example: You must make time for exercise. - Mark time – Wait without progress.
Example: We’re just marking time until the boss arrives. - Nick of time – At the last possible moment.
Example: They got to the station in the nick of time. - Once in a blue moon – Very rarely.
Example: We go to the beach once in a blue moon. - Out of time – With no time left.
Example: We’re out of time for questions. - Play for time – Delay on purpose.
Example: The suspect was playing for time before the lawyer arrived. - Pressed for time – In a hurry.
Example: Sorry, I’m pressed for time right now. - Race against time – Do something very quickly.
Example: Doctors raced against time to save the patient. - Right on time – Exactly at the planned time.
Example: The train arrived right on time. - Save time – Do something efficiently.
Example: Online shopping saves time. - Spare time – Free time.
Example: I like to read in my spare time. - Stand the test of time – Remain valuable for a long period.
Example: Shakespeare’s works stand the test of time. - Time flies – Time passes quickly.
Example: Time flies when you’re having fun. - Time heals all wounds – Emotional pain lessens with time.
Example: Don’t worry, time heals all wounds. - Time is money – Time is valuable.
Example: Don’t waste time; time is money. - Time is of the essence – Speed is crucial.
Example: Time is of the essence in emergency cases. - Waste of time – Useless activity.
Example: Watching that movie was a waste of time. - Take your time – Don’t hurry.
Example: Take your time answering the question. - Behind schedule – Running late.
Example: The project is behind schedule. - On schedule – As planned.
Example: The plane took off on schedule. - Ahead of schedule – Earlier than planned.
Example: The work was finished ahead of schedule. - Borrowed time – Living after the expected end.
Example: After the accident, he’s living on borrowed time. - Beat the buzzer – Finish before time runs out.
Example: He beat the buzzer with the final shot. - Kill time – Do something to pass time.
Example: I read magazines to kill time at the airport. - Buy time – Gain extra time by delaying.
Example: The negotiators tried to buy time. - Good timing – Arrive at the right moment.
Example: You called with good timing; dinner is ready. - Perfect timing – Arriving at the best moment.
Example: He entered the room with perfect timing. - Bad timing – Arriving at the wrong time.
Example: Asking for money now is bad timing. - About time – Finally happening.
Example: It’s about time you cleaned your room. - Take time off – Rest from work.
Example: She took time off to travel. - Pass the time – Do something while waiting.
Example: We played cards to pass the time. - In due time – Eventually.
Example: You’ll understand in due time. - In no time flat – Very quickly.
Example: He cooked dinner in no time flat. - Make up for lost time – Catch up after delay.
Example: We worked late to make up for lost time. - On borrowed time – Close to death or failure.
Example: The old car is running on borrowed time. - Run out of time – No time left.
Example: We ran out of time during the test. - Set time aside – Reserve time.
Example: Set time aside for meditation daily. - Time after time – Repeatedly.
Example: He proved his skills time after time. - Time and again – Often.
Example: Time and again, she warns her children. - Behind closed doors – In private.
Example: The meeting was held behind closed doors. - At the same time – Simultaneously.
Example: They spoke at the same time. - At one time – In the past.
Example: At one time, I lived in London. - At all times – Always.
Example: Keep your ID card with you at all times. - Do time – Serve a prison sentence.
Example: He did time for robbery. - Have a rough time – Suffer difficulties.
Example: She had a rough time after losing her job. - Keep up with the times – Stay modern.
Example: Businesses must keep up with the times. - Living on borrowed time – Surviving longer than expected.
Example: The sick man felt he was living on borrowed time. - Make the most of your time – Use time effectively.
Example: Students should make the most of their time in school. - No time to lose – Must act immediately.
Example: There’s no time to lose; call the doctor! - Out of date – Old-fashioned.
Example: That calendar is out of date. - Save for a rainy day – Save for future need.
Example: Put money aside for a rainy day. - The time is ripe – The right time has come.
Example: The time is ripe for new reforms. - Have a hard time – Struggle with something.
Example: He had a hard time learning French. - Take time by the forelock – Seize an opportunity quickly.
Example: He took time by the forelock and invested early. - Only time will tell – The future will reveal.
Example: Only time will tell if this plan works. - Pass the time of day – Chat casually.
Example: I passed the time of day with my neighbor. - Behind one’s time – Old-fashioned.
Example: His clothing style is behind his time. - Make good time – Travel quickly.
Example: We made good time on the highway. - On time – Punctual.
Example: The train left on time. - Ahead of one’s time – Innovative.
Example: His ideas were ahead of his time. - At times – Sometimes.
Example: At times, I feel very tired. - Against all time – Competing with time pressure.
Example: The workers were against all time to meet the deadline. - In one’s own time – At one’s convenience.
Example: Do the assignment in your own time. - Buy someone time – Delay to help someone prepare.
Example: He kept talking to buy his friend time. - Play catch-up – Make up for lost progress.
Example: The student had to play catch-up after missing classes. - At a set time – At a fixed moment.
Example: Exams start at a set time. - Take your sweet time – Do something slowly.
Example: He took his sweet time answering the question. - Time is short – There’s not much time.
Example: Time is short, so let’s hurry. - Have time on your hands – Have free time.
Example: He took painting lessons because he had time on his hands. - No time like the present – Do it now.
Example: Start your diet today—no time like the present. - Race the clock – Try to beat time.
Example: They raced the clock to finish the puzzle. - Timely reminder – Reminder at the right time.
Example: His call was a timely reminder to pay the bill. - In the fullness of time – Eventually.
Example: In the fullness of time, you’ll understand. - The time of day – A polite greeting.
Example: He refused to give her the time of day. - At any time – Whenever.
Example: You can call me at any time. - Time out – A short break.
Example: The coach called a time out during the match.