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50 Time Idioms: Phrases for Timing, Urgency & Deadlines
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Learn 50 time idioms with precise meanings, real-world examples, and usage tones. This comprehensive guide helps you understand how time-related expressions are used in everyday English, exams, and professional communication.
☰ Browse by Time Category ↓
Time Passing
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Time flies
Common
Time passes quickly.
Time flies when you are working on something you truly enjoy.
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In the long run
Common
Over a long period.
In the long run, consistent effort produces sustainable success.
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For the time being
Common
Temporarily.
We will follow this strategy for the time being until better data is available.
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In due time
Common
At the appropriate time.
Your efforts will be recognized in due time.
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Over time
Common
Gradually.
Over time, small improvements compound into significant results.
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Ahead of time
Common
Earlier than expected.
She submitted the proposal ahead of time.
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Behind the times
Common
Outdated.
Their marketing strategy is clearly behind the times.
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As time goes by
Common
As time passes.
As time goes by, priorities tend to shift naturally.
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Urgency & Speed
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In the nick of time
Common
At the last possible moment.
He submitted the assignment in the nick of time.
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Against the clock
Professional
Under time pressure.
The team worked against the clock to deliver the project.
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Beat the clock
Common
Finish before time runs out.
She managed to beat the clock and complete the test early.
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Race against time
Common
Act urgently.
Doctors were in a race against time to save the patient.
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At the eleventh hour
Common
At the last minute.
The contract was finalized at the eleventh hour.
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Just in time
Common
Exactly at the right moment.
He reached just in time for the meeting.
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Make up for lost time
Common
Work faster to compensate for delay.
After the delay, they worked late to make up for lost time.
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Pressed for time
Common
In a hurry.
I am pressed for time, so let’s focus on key points.
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Time is running out
Common
Very little time remains.
We need to act now—time is running out.
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Frequency
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From time to time
Common
Occasionally.
We review our strategy from time to time.
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Time and again
Common
Repeatedly.
Time and again, discipline proves more valuable than talent.
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All the time
Common
Always.
He checks performance metrics all the time.
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At times
Common
Sometimes.
At times, uncertainty is part of the process.
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Once in a while
Common
Rarely.
We go out for dinner once in a while.
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Every now and then
Common
Occasionally.
He checks in every now and then to monitor progress.
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Nine times out of ten
Common
Almost always.
Nine times out of ten, preparation determines the outcome.
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Timing & Opportunity
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Miss the boat
Common
Miss an opportunity.
He missed the boat by delaying his application.
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Jump the gun
Common
Act too early.
They jumped the gun by announcing the results prematurely.
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Strike while the iron is hot
Common
Act at the right moment.
You should strike while the iron is hot and seize the opportunity.
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Bide your time
Common
Wait patiently.
She chose to bide her time before making a strategic move.
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Right on time
Common
Exactly on schedule.
The session started right on time.
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Ahead of one’s time
Common
Innovative for its era.
His ideas were far ahead of his time.
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A stitch in time saves nine
Common
Fix problems early.
Addressing issues early—a stitch in time saves nine.
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Better late than never
Common
Late action is better than none.
He finally completed the task—better late than never.
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Work & Deadlines
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Time is money
Professional
Time is valuable.
In business, time is money, so efficiency matters.
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Run out of time
Common
No time left.
We ran out of time before finishing the presentation.
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Buy time
Common
Delay something.
He tried to buy time by asking additional questions.
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Save time
Common
Reduce time spent.
Automation helps save time on repetitive tasks.
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Kill time
Informal
Spend time idly.
He scrolled through his phone to kill time.
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On borrowed time
Common
Near the end.
The outdated system is running on borrowed time.
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Live on borrowed time
Common
Continue despite expected end.
The failing business is living on borrowed time.
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General Time Idioms
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A matter of time
Common
Certain to happen eventually.
It is only a matter of time before the market recovers.
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Only time will tell
Common
Future will reveal.
Only time will tell whether the decision was correct.
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Time heals all wounds
Common
Emotional pain fades.
After the setback, she believed time heals all wounds.
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A sign of the times
Common
Reflects trends.
Digital learning is a sign of the times.
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Take your time
Common
Do without rushing.
Take your time and think through the decision carefully.
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Third time’s a charm
Common
Success after attempts.
After two failures, the third time’s a charm.
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Time after time
Common
Repeatedly.
Time after time, he proved his commitment.
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In no time
Common
Very quickly.
She finished the task in no time.
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