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I’ve been teaching English for over a decade, and if there’s one area where my students struggle most with native-like fluency, it’s idioms about time. They understand that “time flies” is a phrase, but they don’t fully grasp why English speakers use it, or when to deploy it naturally in conversation. Understanding idioms related to time is crucial because time is central to how we plan, reflect, and communicate in daily life. For more, see our shadowing technique for fluency.
You’ll breaks down 30 essential time-related idioms in English. Each one is organized by function — whether it describes speed, opportunity, or pressure — so you can understand not just the meaning but also when and how to use it in real conversation. You’ll also see how native speakers employ these phrases in dialogue and writing.
Key Takeaways
- Speed idioms — “Time flies,” “beat the clock,” and “at the eleventh hour” describe how fast time passes or how urgently we race against it.
- Opportunity idioms — “The ship has sailed,” “third time’s a charm,” and “in the nick of time” relate to seizing or missing chances.
- Duration idioms — “Around the clock,” “in the long run,” and “for the time being” frame time spans and periods.
- Difficulty and effort — “A devil of a time,” “have a time of it,” and “make up for lost time” express struggle or intensive action.
- Register and context — Some idioms suit casual chat (“call it a day”), while others fit formal or business writing (“at the eleventh hour”).
Speed and Time Passing: Common Idioms
Time Flies
Meaning: Time passes extremely quickly, often faster than you expect.
Example 1: “Look how fast our children grew up. Time flies!”
Example 2: “When you’re having fun, time flies. Before you know it, the weekend is over.”
Remember: This idiom is often completed with “time flies when you’re having fun,” emphasizing that enjoyable moments feel shorter. Use it when reflecting on how quickly moments passed.
Beat the Clock
Meaning: Finish something before a deadline; complete a task before time runs out.
Example 1: “Although she was late to the exam, she managed to beat the clock and finished all of it 10 minutes before the end.”
Example 2: “We need to beat the clock if we’re going to make it to the airport before boarding closes.”
A Race Against Time (or the Clock)
Meaning: An urgent attempt to do something very quickly, competing against a deadline.
Example 1: “It’s a race against time to complete the construction before the rainy season.”
Example 2: “The doctors worked in a race against the clock to save the patient’s life.”
At the Eleventh Hour
Meaning: Almost too late, or at the last possible moment before something ends.
Example 1: “We barely made the deadline. There was so much to do in this project; we turned it in at the eleventh hour.”
Example 2: “He decided to propose at the eleventh hour, the day before she was supposed to move overseas.”
In the Nick of Time
Meaning: At the last possible moment, just before it becomes too late.
Example: “I made it to the wedding in the nick of time. I almost missed the ceremony.”
Tip: “At the eleventh hour” and “in the nick of time” are similar but slightly different. “Eleventh hour” emphasizes the lateness of a decision or action, while “in the nick of time” emphasizes just barely making it. Use “nick of time” for dramatic near-misses.
Opportunity and Missed Chances
The Ship Has Sailed
Meaning: A lost opportunity that cannot be recovered; a missed chance.
Example 1: “I should call Annie. I’ve been thinking about her lately.” “Sorry Chad, that ship has sailed. She got married last month.”
Example 2: “If you wanted to apply for the scholarship, the ship has sailed — applications closed two weeks ago.”
Third Time’s a Charm
Meaning: The third time you try something, it will finally work or succeed.
Example 1: “I had to ask her out three times before she said yes. Well, third time’s a charm!”
Example 2: “I failed the driving test twice, but third time’s a charm — I passed on my third attempt.”
Better Late Than Never
Meaning: Doing something late is better than not doing it at all. (Can also be used sarcastically if someone is very late.)
Example 1: “I finally finished the project today, even though it was due yesterday. Better late than never, right?”
Example 2: “Well hello John. Better late than never, huh? Class started half an hour ago.” (Sarcastic usage)
It’s High Time
Meaning: It’s the right time to do something, or past the appropriate moment to do it (often implying it’s already overdue).
Example 1: “It’s high time he met with me to resolve this issue.”
Example 2: “It’s high time we renovated this office. It hasn’t been updated in 15 years.”
Duration and Time Frames
In the Long Run
Meaning: In the long term, over a long period of time; ultimately.
Example 1: “I hate having so much after-school activities now, but in the long run, this will be beneficial for me.”
Example 2: “Investing in education is challenging initially, but in the long run, it pays off tremendously.”
Around the Clock
Meaning: For 24 hours, without stopping; continuously.
Example 1: “I know it’s very late, but I really feel ill. Do you know which pharmacy is open around the clock?”
Example 2: “The emergency team worked around the clock to restore power after the storm.”
For the Time Being
Meaning: At the present moment; for now; temporarily.
Example 1: “For the time being, our plans remain unchanged until something convinces us otherwise.”
Example 2: “We’ll stay in this apartment for the time being, but we’re planning to move next year.”
Ahead of Time
Meaning: Earlier than a given deadline; earlier than expected.
Example: “If we get to the theater ahead of time, we’ll have our pick of good seats.”
Difficulty, Effort, and Struggle with Time
Make Up for Lost Time
Meaning: To catch up; to do something intensely to compensate for a long period of not doing it.
Example 1: “Where have you been for so long? I ran into Katie. We had to make up for lost time and talked for hours.”
Example 2: “After being injured, the athlete trained intensively to make up for lost time before the competition.”
A Devil of a Time
Meaning: A difficult or frustrating time; trouble or struggle.
Example: “We had a devil of a time convincing grandpa to go to the doctor for that bad cough.”
Have a Time of It
Meaning: To experience particular trouble or difficulty.
Example 1: “We all had a time of it after our father died. Grief is harder than I expected.”
Example 2: “Mary’s having a time of it in her new math class. The material is challenging.”
A Whale of a Time
Meaning: An especially exciting or fun experience; a great time.
Example: “The kids had a whale of a time at the theme park. They didn’t want to leave.”
Responsibility, Duty, and Time
Do Time
Meaning: To spend time in prison serving a sentence.
Example: “He did time in a California prison for three years.”
Register note: This is a neutral, factual idiom in English, though it relates to a serious matter. It’s appropriate for news reports, criminal justice contexts, and formal discussion.
On Someone’s Watch
Meaning: During the time that someone is in charge; while someone is on duty or responsible.
Example 1: “Mark has got a bruise on his leg again. Why do kids always get hurt on your watch?”
Example 2: “No security breaches happened on his watch. His team was meticulous.”
Call It a Day
Meaning: To finish working on something; to decide that a day’s work is completed.
Example: “We’ve been working for a long time on this with no progress. Let’s call it a day and come back with new ideas tomorrow.”
Knowledge, Experience, and Time
Not Born Yesterday
Meaning: Experienced and not naïve; not easily fooled or deceived.
Example 1: “You can’t expect me to believe that the vase broke itself. I wasn’t born yesterday — you were playing ball with the dog in the house again!”
Example 2: “I’m not born yesterday. I can tell when someone is lying to me.”
Caught in a Time Warp
Meaning: Unchanged in an outdated or obsolete way; stuck in the past.
Example: “This town is so entrenched in its backwards ideals and moral values like it’s caught in a time warp or something!”
Miscellaneous Time Idioms
Buy Time
Meaning: To do something to postpone an event or delay an outcome.
Example: “She is just stalling to buy time. She’s not ready to make a decision yet.”
A Matter of Time
Meaning: Something will definitely happen, but you’re not sure when.
Example: “It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt if we don’t fix this safety issue.”
All in Good Time
Meaning: An expression that encourages patience; something will happen when the time is right.
Example: “I know you wish your house had sold already, but all in good time.”
Borrowed Time
Meaning: An uncertain amount of time, at the end of which something will no longer exist or occur; living or functioning on borrowed time.
Example: “Accidents and disease can strike so unexpectedly that it feels like we’re all living on borrowed time.”
A Rare Old Time
Meaning: A fine and enjoyable time at a party or social gathering.
Example: “We had a rare old time at Tom’s the other night. Great music, great company.”
Time to Hit the Road
Meaning: Time to depart or leave.
Example: “Look at the clock. It’s past midnight. It’s time to hit the road.”
Sample Dialogue: Project Deadline Stress
Manager: How are we looking on the project deadline? It’s Friday afternoon.
Team Lead: We’re in a race against time, honestly. We should beat the clock, but it’s close.
Manager: We always seem to turn things in at the eleventh hour. Is there a better way to plan?
Team Lead: I agree. In the long run, if we start earlier, we’ll have fewer all-nighters. For the time being, let’s call it a day and finish strong Monday morning.
Manager: Fair enough. You’ve all had a time of it this week. Better to rest and come back refreshed.
Common Mistakes
✗ Incorrect: “The ship has sailed already, so we cannot do it.”
✓ Correct: “The ship has sailed, so we cannot do it.”
Why: The phrase “the ship has sailed” already implies the past and a missed opportunity. Adding “already” is redundant.
✗ Incorrect: “I beat the clock by 5 minutes early.”
✓ Correct: “I beat the clock by 5 minutes” or “I finished 5 minutes before the deadline.”
Why: “Beat the clock” is already a complete phrase meaning you finished before time ran out. Saying “early” is redundant.
✗ Incorrect: “In the long run, this project is not finished yet.”
✓ Correct: “In the long run, this project will be worth the effort” or “For now, this project is not finished.”
Why: “In the long run” refers to the future and long-term outlook, not present status. For present matters, use “for now” or “for the time being.”
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
- What does “time flies” mean? (a) Time moves slowly (b) Time passes quickly (c) You are fast
- Which idiom means “a missed opportunity that cannot be recovered”? (a) Third time’s a charm (b) The ship has sailed (c) In the long run
- If you “beat the clock,” what have you done? (a) Defeated someone in a race (b) Finished before a deadline (c) Stopped time
- What does “at the eleventh hour” describe? (a) 11:00 PM (b) The last possible moment before a deadline (c) A meeting time
- “Around the clock” means: (a) Circling a clock (b) For 24 hours without stopping (c) Twice daily
Answers: 1. (b) — Time passes quickly · 2. (b) — The ship has sailed means a missed opportunity · 3. (b) — Beat the clock means finish before the deadline · 4. (b) — At the eleventh hour is the last possible moment · 5. (b) — Around the clock means 24 hours continuously.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between “in the nick of time” and “at the eleventh hour”?
“In the nick of time” emphasizes barely making it — the timing is crucial and narrow. “At the eleventh hour” emphasizes the lateness of a decision or action. Both describe near-deadlines, but “nick of time” is more dramatic and urgent.
Can I use “time flies” in formal writing?
Yes, “time flies” can be used in formal writing, especially in reflective or personal essays. However, in highly technical or legal writing, it might sound too casual. In those contexts, use more formal phrasing like “time passes quickly.”
Is “the ship has sailed” negative or just factual?
It can be either. In “The ship has sailed, so there’s nothing we can do,” it’s factual and resigned. In “You want to join? Sorry, the ship has sailed,” it has a slightly dismissive tone. Context determines the emotional weight.
How do I use “make up for lost time” correctly?
Use it when you want to express catching up after a long gap. Example: “After not seeing each other for years, we met and talked for hours to make up for lost time.” It implies intense, deliberate effort to compensate.
What’s the difference between “for the time being” and “in the long run”?
“For the time being” refers to right now, temporarily. “In the long run” refers to the distant future and long-term outcomes. They’re opposites on the time spectrum.
Can “a devil of a time” be positive?
No. “A devil of a time” always means difficulty or frustration. If you want to express a fun time, use “a whale of a time” instead.
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