Idioms about time are just like the hidden gem stones of language — they carry shade, intensity, and a hint of playfulness to regular speech. Among those, idioms about time preserve a special vicinity due to the fact they help us seize complex thoughts approximately how time actions and affects us, all in a few brilliant phrases.
Think of terms like “time flies” or “race against the clock” — those expressions right away carry the frenzy or fleeting nature of moments without needing an extended clarification. They’re tiny memories wrapped in catchy phrases.
In this piece, we’ll take a better have a look at a few commonplace time idioms, unpack what they truly imply, and spot how you could use them certainly to make your conversations or writing greater engaging.
1. Against the Clock
Meaning: Having to finish some thing earlier than a strict cut-off date.
Example: Emma was working towards the clock to submit her venture before nighttime.
Similar expressions: Racing the clock, pressed for time, on a decent schedule.
2. Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Something that occurs very hardly ever.
Example: He only goes lower back to his homeland as soon as in a blue moon.
Similar expressions: Hardly ever, rarely, from time to time.
3. In the Nick of Time
Meaning: Doing some thing just before it’s too past due.
Example: We caught the teach within the nick of time — a minute later and we’d’ve ignored it.
Similar expressions: Just in time, at the final minute.
4. Time Flies
Meaning: Time passes in no time, often without noticing.
Example: It looks like summer season just commenced, but it’s already over — time clearly flies!
Similar expressions: Time is going fast, time speeds via.
5. Time is Money
Meaning: Time is treasured, so wasting it can value you opportunities or earnings.
Example: Business proprietors frequently remind their teams that time is coins.
Similar expressions: Every 2d counts, time is valuable.
See Also : Inspiring Idioms to Motivate You
6. In the Long Run
Meaning: Considering the effect over a protracted period.
Example: Buying fine merchandise might cost extra now but saves cash in the end.
Similar expressions: Eventually, over time, ultimately.
7. Better Late Than Never
Meaning: Finishing something late is higher than not doing it in any respect.
Example: Her birthday gift arrived a week after her birthday, however she laughed and said, “Better past due than in no way!”
Similar expressions: Late but appreciated, at least it happened.
8. Time and Time Again
Meaning: Repeating something normally over a period.
Example: He cautioned his kids time and time over again to do their homework before playing video video games.
Similar expressions: Repeatedly, time and again, again and again.
9. In the Meantime
Meaning: The time between now and whilst some thing else takes place.
Example: Dinner will be ready quickly. In the period in-between, permit’s tidy up the kitchen.
Similar expressions: Meanwhile, even as waiting, for now.
10. Time Will Tell
Meaning: The results or reality becomes clear within the future.
Example: Only time will tell if their new enterprise idea will prevail.
Similar expressions: We’ll have to be patient, the future will display.
11. Behind the Times
Meaning: Not retaining up with current developments or generation.
Example: Grandpa still insists on using his old turn cellphone — he’s in reality behind the instances.
Other methods to mention it: Outdated, old style, stuck inside the past.
12. In the Blink of an Eye
Meaning: Something occurs so rapid it’s almost instantaneous.
Example: The domestic dog darted throughout the backyard within the blink of an eye fixed.
Other ways to mention it: In an immediately, right away, very quickly.
13. In Due Time
Meaning: When the right moment comes; in the end.
Example: Don’t worry approximately your consequences — you’ll get them in due time.
Other ways to say it: When the time is right, finally, at the right second.
14. Time Off
Meaning: A ruin from work or studies to rest or relax.
Example: I’m taking some day off subsequent week to recharge and spend time with own family.
Other approaches to say it: A destroy, vacation days, a depart.
15. High Time
Meaning: It’s already beyond the right second to do some thing.
Example: It’s excessive time you wiped clean your room — it’s a large number!
Other methods to say it: Long overdue, approximately time, past due.
16. Crunch Time
Meaning: A duration whilst you have to paintings tough to fulfill a decent closing date.
Example: With handiest two days left earlier than release, it’s crunch time for the crew.
Other methods to mention it: Final push, essential second, top strain.
17. Just a Matter of Time
Meaning: Something will in reality occur sooner or later.
Example: It’s just a count number of time before the fact comes out.
Other methods to say it: Bound to take place, inevitable, in the end.
18. Time on Your Hands
Meaning: Having extra free time without specific plans.
Example: With school closed nowadays, Jake unexpectedly had a variety of time on his fingers.
Other approaches to mention it: Free time, spare time, nothing to do.
19. On Borrowed Time
Meaning: Surviving or persevering with longer than expected, regularly after a close call.
Example: After his heart surgical procedure, the medical doctors stated he was residing on borrowed time.
Other approaches to mention it: Living past anticipated time, defying the percentages.
20. In the Eleventh Hour
Meaning: Finishing or doing some thing on the very last possible second.
Example: They controlled to post the concept within the 11th hour, just before the closing date closed.
Other ways to mention it: At the closing minute, just in time, on the final second.
21. Make Up for Lost Time
Meaning: To work tougher or quicker to recover time that was wasted or unavailable.
Example: After lacking training due to illness, Rachel installed greater look at hours to make up for misplaced time.
Other ways to say it: Catch up, get lower back on course, regain misplaced progress.
22. On Schedule
Meaning: Happening exactly while planned or predicted.
Example: Even with sudden rain, the construction project remains on time table.
Other methods to mention it: Right on time, on the right track, as deliberate.
23. Time Well Spent
Meaning: Time applied in a effective, meaningful, or fun way.
Example: Volunteering at the animal safe haven each weekend looks as if time well spent.
Other strategies to mention it: Time without a doubt well worth making an investment, worthwhile use of time, enjoyable time.
24. Time Heals All Wounds
Meaning: Emotional pain or grief has a bent to lessen as time passes.
Example: Losing her formative years first-rate pal became heartbreaking, but through the years she realized that point heals all wounds.
Other approaches to mention it: Pain fades with time, time brings recuperation, wounds mend with time.
25. In the Twinkling of an Eye
Meaning: Something occurs extraordinarily rapid.
Example: The dog bolted into the backyard and vanished inside the quick while.
Other approaches to mention it: In a heartbeat, in a flash, in an immediate.
26. Take Your Time
Meaning: To do something slowly and carefully, without speeding.
Example: There’s no cut-off date for this assignment, so take it slow and do it properly.
Other ways to say it: No need to rush, don’t rush, pass at your own tempo.
27. Time and Time Again
Meaning: To do some thing again and again over a period.
Example: Time and time once more, he forgot to fasten the front door before leaving the house.
Other methods to mention it: Over and over, time and again, over and over.
MCQs:
1. What does the idiom “Against the Clock” mean?
A) Taking breaks frequently
B) Working faster to meet a tight deadline
C) Spending time with family
D) Doing something at leisure
Correct Answer: B
2. Which idiom means something happens very rarely?
A) Time Flies
B) In the Blink of an Eye
C) Once in a Blue Moon
D) Crunch Time
Correct Answer: C
3. If you do something “In the Nick of Time”, you do it:
A) Too late
B) Too early
C) Without caring
D) Just before it’s too late
Correct Answer: D
4. “Time Flies” expresses the idea that:
A) Time moves slowly
B) Time stands still
C) Time passes quickly
D) Time is wasted
Correct Answer: C
5. Which idiom implies working during a period of maximum pressure to meet a deadline?
A) On Borrowed Time
B) Crunch Time
C) High Time
D) Time Off
Correct Answer: B
6. “Better Late Than Never” suggests that:
A) Being late is always bad
B) Not doing something is better than doing it late
C) Doing something late is better than not doing it at all
D) One should never be late
Correct Answer: C
7. If something is happening “In the Blink of an Eye”, it is happening:
A) Gradually
B) Slowly
C) Very quickly
D) After a long time
Correct Answer: C
8. Which idiom means a break or vacation from work?
A) On Schedule
B) Time Off
C) Make Up for Lost Time
D) In the Eleventh Hour
Correct Answer: B
9. Which idiom means someone is old-fashioned or not modern?
A) Time Will Tell
B) In Due Time
C) Behind the Times
D) High Time
Correct Answer: C
10. What does “On Borrowed Time” mean?
A) Wasting time
B) Having more time than needed
C) Living longer than expected
D) Saving time
Correct Answer: C
Summary:
Time idioms are like hidden treasures in language — they upload vividness, emotion, and a touch of creativity to everyday communique. These expressions help us speak about how time affects our actions, feelings, and life conditions in a colourful way that easy phrases frequently can’t seize.
From terms like “Against the Clock” (going for walks rapid to satisfy a good cut-off date) to “Once in a Blue Moon” (something very uncommon) and “Time Flies” (time passing quick), every idiom paints a clean picture of time’s effect. Others, like “In the Nick of Time,” “Crunch Time,” and “In the Eleventh Hour,” consciousness on acting just before it’s too late.
Some idioms remind us to rate our time accurately (“Time is Money”), to be affected person (“In Due Time”), or to take it slow while needed (“Take Your Time”). They additionally specific that through the years, wounds heal (“Time Heals All Wounds”) and that a few things are truely inevitable (“Just a Matter of Time”).
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