30 Popular English Idioms Related to TIME

Useful English idioms related to TIME! The following article introduces the idioms with “TIME” with their meaning and useful examples and ESL image.

Contents

English Idioms Related to TIME

Common Idioms about TIME

Here is the list of idioms about Time in English:

1. Buy time

Meaning: To do something to postpone an event:
Example: She is just stalling to buy time.

2. Do time

Meaning: To spend time in prison
Example: He did time in a California prison.

3. A race against time/the clock

Meaning: An attempt to do something very quickly
Example: It’s a race against time to complete the construction.

4. A whale of a time

Meaning: An especially exciting or fun experience
Example: The kids had a whale of a time at the theme park.

5. Time flies

Meaning: Time passes extremely quickly
Example: Look how fast our children grew up, how time flies.

6. It’s high time

Meaning: It’s the right time to do something, or past the appropriate time to do something.
Example: It’s high time he met with me to resolve this issue.

7. Third time’s a charm

Meaning: The third time you do something it will finally work.
Example: I had to ask her out three times before she said yes. Well you know… Third time’s a charm.

8. Beat the clock

Meaning: Finish something before time is up, before a deadline.
Example: Although she was late to the exam, she managed to beat the clock and finished all of it 10 minutes before the end.

9. Better late than never

Meaning: Doing something late is better than not doing it at all. It can be used sarcastically if someone is very late.
Example: Well hello John. Better late than never, huh? Class started half an hour ago.

10. At the eleventh hour

Meaning: Almost too late or at the last possible moment.
Example: We barely made the deadline, there was so much to do in this project we turned it in at the eleventh hour.

11. In the long run

Meaning: In the long term, over a long period of time.
Example: I hate having so much after school activities now, but I know in the long run this will be beneficial for me.

12. Make up for lost time

Meaning: To catch up, to do something intensely to make up for a long period of not doing it.
Example: Where have you been for so long? I ran into Katie, we had to make up for lost time and talked for hours.

13. In the nick of time

Meaning: at the last possible moment, just before it’s too late.
Example: I made it to the wedding in the nick of time, I almost missed the ceremony.

14. Ship has sailed

Meaning: A lost opportunity, missed shot.
Example: I should call Annie, I’ve been thinking about her lately. Sorry Chad, that ship has sailed. She got married last month.

15. Around the clock

Meaning: for 24 hours, without stopping.
Example: I know it’s very late, but I really feel ill. Do you know which pharmacy is open around the clock?

16. Call it a day

Meaning: To finish working on something, a day’s work’s been completed.
Example: We’ve been working for a long time on this with no progress. Let’s call it a day and come with new ideas tomorrow.

17. In one stroke

Meaning: Immediately, at the same time.
Example: I went out to run errands and managed to do everything on one stroke.

18. Not born yesterday

Meaning: Experienced, not naïve or easily fooled.
Example: 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!

19. On someone’s watch

Meaning: During the time that someone is in charge, while someone is on duty.
Example: Mark has got a bruise on his leg again. Why do kids always get hurt on your watch?

20. A devil of a time

Meaning: A difficult or frustrating time
Example: We had a devil of a time convincing grandpa to go to the doctor for that bad cough.

21. Ahead of time

Meaning: Earlier than a given deadline
Example: If we get to the theater ahead of time, we’ll have our pick of good seats.

22. A matter/question of time

Meaning: used for saying that something will definitely happen, but you are not sure when
Example: It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.

23. A rare old time

Meaning: a fine and enjoyable time at a party or something similar
Example: We had a rare old time at Tom’s the other night.

24. All in good time

Meaning: An expression that encourages patience
Example: I know you wish your house had sold already, but all in good time.

25. Borrowed time

Meaning: An uncertain amount of time, at the end of which something will no longer exist or occur
Example: Accidents and disease can strike so unexpectedly that it feels like we’re all living on borrowed time.

26. Bad time

Meaning: An inconvenient moment or an unfortunate experience
Example: I’m afraid you’ve called at a bad time. I’m already on my way out the door.

27. For the time being

Meaning: At the present moment; for now
Example: For the time being, our plans remain unchanged until something convinces us otherwise.

28. Caught in a time warp

Meaning: Unchanged in an antiquated or obsolete way
Example: This town is so entrenched in its backwards ideals and moral values like it’s caught in a time warp or something!

29. Have a time of it

Meaning: To experience particular trouble or difficulty
Example: We all had a time of it after our father died. Mary’s having a time of it in her new math class.

30. Time to hit the road