12 Useful Idiomatic Expressions with TIME in English

Idiomatic expressions with time are common in the English language, and they often reflect the cultural and societal values and beliefs related to time. These idioms can add a unique layer of meaning to our communication and often carry a deeper meaning than the literal interpretation of the words used. Some examples of idiomatic expressions with “time” include “time flies,” “in the nick of time,” and “waste of time.” These idioms can be used in different contexts, and it’s important to understand the context to understand the intended meaning.

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Idiomatic Expressions with TIME

1. Better late than never

Meaning: It implies that a belated achievement is better than not reaching a goal at all.
E.g. I’m sorry my gift came late, but better late than never, right?

2. On the spur of the moment

Meaning: This popular saying denotes a spontaneous or sudden undertaking.
E.g. You’ve got to stop making decisions about your business on the spur of the moment like this.

3. Once in a blue moon

Meaning: This idiom means something is rare or infrequent
E.g. Peter only comes out for a drink once in blue moon now that he has kids.

4. Living on borrowed time

Meaning: Following an illness or near-death experience, many people believe they have cheated death
E.g. Accidents and disease can strike so unexpectedly that it feels like we’re all living on borrowed time.

5. In the interim

Meaning: It denotes a period of time between something that ended and something that happened afterward
E.g. We’re in the process of hiring a new social media director, but in the interim, we’ll have to make do with our current staff.

6. In broad daylight

Meaning: When something occurs in broad daylight, it means the event is clearly visible
E.g. The gangland feud is getting so bad that people are being shot in broad daylight.

7. Against the clock

Meaning: In a very limited amount of time; with a shortage of time being the main problem
E.g. We left later than we were supposed to, so it was a race against the clock to get to the airport on time.

8. All in good time

Meaning: Eventually; at a more favorable time in the future. This phrase encourages one to be patient.
E.g. I know you wish your house had sold already, but all in good time.

9. Big time

Meaning: If you do something big time, you do it to a great degree.
E.g. Chrissy’s into skiing big time.

10. The time is ripe

Meaning: If you say that the time is ripe, you mean that it is a suitable point for a particular activity
E.g. I’m waiting till the time is ripe before I tell my parents that I failed my two exams.

11. Have the time of your life

Meaning: To have a very fun, exciting, or enjoyable time
E.g. I traveled to France for the first time last summer, and I had the time of my life.

12. Time is money