Time is something we use every day. We talk about it when we go to school, do our homework, or get ready for bed. But sometimes, instead of saying what we mean in a plain way, we use fun expressions called idioms. These idioms help us talk about time in a more colorful and simple way.
You might hear someone say, “time flies,” when a fun day goes by too fast. Or a teacher might say, “beat the clock,” when you need to finish your work quickly. These sayings don’t mean exactly what the words say. They help us show feelings or ideas in a smart and easy way. In this article, you’ll learn some idioms about time. You’ll also see how to use them in your own sentences. Let’s get started!
Idioms for Time
1. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before time runs out.
Example: I beat the clock and turned in my homework before the bell rang. / We beat the clock during our timed quiz.
Put Differently: We finished just in time. / I made it before time was up.
2. Time flies
Meaning: Time passes quickly.
Example: Time flies when we’re playing outside. / Our vacation went by so fast—time really flies!
Put Differently: Time went quickly. / It felt like no time at all.
3. Around the clock
Meaning: All day and all night.
Example: The hospital works around the clock. / We studied around the clock for the big test.
Put Differently: It happens all day and night. / We didn’t stop working.
4. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working for now.
Example: After the group project, we called it a day. / Let’s call it a day and play.
Put Differently: We stopped for now. / We finished for today.
5. Against the clock
Meaning: Rushing to finish before time runs out.
Example: I worked against the clock to finish the race. / We were cleaning against the clock before guests came.
Put Differently: We were in a hurry. / I raced to get done on time.
6. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just before it’s too late.
Example: We got to school in the nick of time. / She caught the bus in the nick of time.
Put Differently: Right before time ran out. / Barely made it.
7. Time will tell
Meaning: We’ll see the result later.
Example: Time will tell if I made the right choice. / Time will tell if it rains tomorrow.
Put Differently: We’ll find out later. / Wait and see.
8. Behind the times
Meaning: Not modern or up to date.
Example: My grandpa’s phone is behind the times. / That rule feels behind the times.
Put Differently: Old or outdated. / Not current.
9. On the dot
Meaning: Exactly on time.
Example: We left at 3 p.m. on the dot. / The movie started at 7 on the dot.
Put Differently: Right on time. / Not early or late.
10. Make up for lost time
Meaning: Do extra to catch up.
Example: I studied hard to make up for lost time. / We practiced more to make up for missed days.
Put Differently: Catching up fast. / Trying to fix missed time.
11. Out of time
Meaning: No time left.
Example: I was out of time on the quiz. / We were out of time to clean up.
Put Differently: Time ran out. / No more time.
12. Time is up
Meaning: The time limit is over.
Example: The teacher said, “Time is up!” / Time is up, so turn in your test.
Put Differently: It’s over. / No more time left.
13. Save time
Meaning: Use time wisely.
Example: We took a shortcut to save time. / Making lunch early saves time in the morning.
Put Differently: Make things faster. / Don’t waste time.
14. Take your time
Meaning: Don’t rush.
Example: Take your time on the drawing. / You can take your time with the puzzle.
Put Differently: Go slow. / No need to hurry.
15. Just in time
Meaning: Almost late but not quite.
Example: I got to class just in time. / The pizza came just in time for lunch.
Put Differently: Arrived right before it was too late.
16. At the last minute
Meaning: Very late or just before something happens.
Example: He packed at the last minute. / I remembered the homework at the last minute.
Put Differently: Very late. / Almost too late.
17. Crunch time
Meaning: A busy and stressful time to get things done.
Example: It’s crunch time before the big game. / We’re in crunch time for our project.
Put Differently: The most important and busy time.
18. On borrowed time
Meaning: Time that’s short or limited.
Example: The old phone is on borrowed time. / This fun is on borrowed time—school starts soon!
Put Differently: Not much time left. / Won’t last long.
19. Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable.
Example: We shouldn’t waste time—time is money. / They say time is money in business.
Put Differently: Time matters. / Don’t waste it.
20. Kill time
Meaning: Do something to pass time.
Example: I read to kill time before dinner. / We played games to kill time before the movie.
Put Differently: Fill time while waiting.
21. Time out
Meaning: A short break.
Example: The coach called a time out. / I took a time out to relax.
Put Differently: A short stop or rest.
22. Bide your time
Meaning: Wait for the right moment.
Example: I bided my time before asking. / She’s biding her time to speak.
Put Differently: Waiting for the best time.
23. All in good time
Meaning: Things will happen when ready.
Example: You’ll get your turn—all in good time. / The surprise will come all in good time.
Put Differently: Be patient. / It will happen soon.
24. Third time’s the charm
Meaning: Success after trying three times.
Example: I won the game on my third try—third time’s the charm! / She passed the test on the third try.
Put Differently: I finally got it after trying again.
25. Ahead of time
Meaning: Early or before planned.
Example: I finished my project ahead of time. / We arrived ahead of time.
Put Differently: We were early. / I was done before I had to be.
26. Take time off
Meaning: Stop working for a short time.
Example: Dad took time off from work. / I took time off from studying.
Put Differently: I had a break. / No work for a while.
27. Have the time of your life
Meaning: Have a lot of fun.
Example: I had the time of my life at camp. / She had the time of her life at the party.
Put Differently: I had so much fun.
28. A race against time
Meaning: A fast effort to beat a time limit.
Example: We were in a race against time to clean before mom got home. / The team raced against time to win.
Put Differently: We had to go really fast.
29. At the same time
Meaning: Two or more things happen together.
Example: We laughed at the same time. / They spoke at the same time.
Put Differently: It happened together.
30. From time to time
Meaning: Sometimes.
Example: We visit Grandma from time to time. / I like to draw from time to time.
Put Differently: Not always, but sometimes.
31. Big time
Meaning: Very much or a lot.
Example: I liked that movie big time! / He messed up big time.
Put Differently: I really liked it. / He made a big mistake.
32. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly.
Example: I finished my snack in no time. / She cleaned up in no time.
Put Differently: It didn’t take long.
33. No time like the present
Meaning: Now is the best time.
Example: Start your homework—no time like the present! / Let’s call her now.
Put Differently: Do it now.
34. Only a matter of time
Meaning: It will happen soon.
Example: It’s only a matter of time before it snows. / She’ll win—it’s only a matter of time.
Put Differently: It will happen soon.
35. Pressed for time
Meaning: In a hurry.
Example: I’m pressed for time before the meeting. / We were pressed for time at lunch.
Put Differently: We didn’t have much time.
36. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely.
Example: We eat out once in a blue moon. / She visits once in a blue moon.
Put Differently: Not very often.
37. A waste of time
Meaning: Not useful or helpful.
Example: That movie was a waste of time. / It felt like a waste of time to redo it.
Put Differently: It wasn’t worth it.
38. About time
Meaning: It finally happened.
Example: It’s about time you cleaned your room! / About time we had fun.
Put Differently: Finally!
39. In the long run
Meaning: After a lot of time passes.
Example: Studying helps in the long run. / It pays off in the long run.
Put Differently: It helps later.
40. Time stands still
Meaning: Everything feels slow or calm.
Example: When I’m reading, time stands still. / Time stood still during the quiet moment.
Put Differently: It felt like everything stopped.
“Rewrite the Sentence” Activity :Idioms for Time
Here are 10 simple sentences. Rewrite each sentence using one of the idioms about time. Make the sentence sound natural.
Sentences to Rewrite
- I got to class right before the bell rang.
- We finished the project fast and didn’t waste a second.
- Mom takes short breaks from work when she feels tired.
- It feels like the school year goes by very quickly.
- We kept working late into the night.
- I waited patiently until it was my turn.
- We rushed to clean the room before our guests arrived.
- Dad always finishes cooking before dinner time.
- It finally started snowing after days of waiting.
- They don’t go to the movies very often.
Answer Key
- I got to class just in time.
- We finished the project in no time.
- Mom takes time off when she feels tired.
- Time flies during the school year.
- We worked around the clock.
- I bided my time until it was my turn.
- We were in a race against time to clean the room.
- Dad always finishes cooking ahead of time.
- It’s about time it started snowing.
- They go to the movies once in a blue moon.
Conclusion
Idioms about time help us talk in fun and easy ways. They make what we say more interesting. These sayings can show when things happen or how we feel about time.
If you learn and use these time idioms, your speaking and writing will sound smarter. Just keep practicing. Soon, you’ll be using them without even thinking about it.
