Time is something we all think about every day. We look at clocks, count days, and talk about minutes or hours. But in English, people don’t always speak about time in a plain way. Sometimes, they use special phrases called idioms. Idioms are fun and helpful expressions. They use different words to explain an idea, but they don’t always mean what they say exactly.
In this article, we will learn about idioms that are used when people talk about time. These idioms can help you understand conversations better. You might even start using them in your own talking or writing. Each idiom has a meaning, and we’ll also show you how to use it in a sentence. Let’s get started and explore these interesting ways to talk about time.
Idioms for Time
1. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before the time runs out.
Within a Sentence: We beat the clock and finished the test early. / She beat the clock to catch the bus.
In Other Words: Finished on time. / Didn’t run late.
2. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just before it’s too late.
Within a Sentence: He got to the party in the nick of time. / I saved my project in the nick of time.
In Other Words: Just made it. / Right on time.
3. Around the clock
Meaning: All day and night without stopping.
Within a Sentence: The store is open around the clock. / Doctors work around the clock at the hospital.
In Other Words: All day. / Never closes.
4. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working for now.
Within a Sentence: After the game, we called it a day. / I was tired, so I called it a day.
In Other Words: Stop now. / Done for today.
5. Time flies
Meaning: Time goes by quickly.
Within a Sentence: Time flies when I play outside. / Time flies during summer break.
In Other Words: Time feels short. / Goes fast.
6. Behind the times
Meaning: Old-fashioned or not modern.
Within a Sentence: My phone is behind the times. / That store is behind the times.
In Other Words: Outdated. / Not up to date.
7. Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable like money.
Within a Sentence: Let’s not waste time, because time is money. / He works fast since time is money.
In Other Words: Don’t waste time. / Time matters.
8. Save time
Meaning: Do something faster or more easily.
Within a Sentence: I save time by packing my bag at night. / Using a microwave saves time.
In Other Words: Be quicker. / Don’t take too long.
9. Kill time
Meaning: Do something while waiting.
Within a Sentence: We played games to kill time. / I read a book to kill time before dinner.
In Other Words: Pass time. / Wait by doing something.
10. Time will tell
Meaning: We will know more after some time.
Within a Sentence: Time will tell if my team wins. / Time will tell if it’s a good idea.
In Other Words: We’ll see. / Wait and find out.
11. Make time
Meaning: Find time to do something.
Within a Sentence: I make time to read every day. / She made time to call her grandma.
In Other Words: Set time aside. / Plan for it.
12. Time is up
Meaning: The allowed time is over.
Within a Sentence: Time is up put your pencils down. / The timer rang, so the time is up.
In Other Words: Time’s finished. / No more time.
13. Out of time
Meaning: No more time left.
Within a Sentence: I ran out of time on the test. / We were out of time to finish the puzzle.
In Other Words: Too late. / Time’s over.
14. Just in time
Meaning: Right before it was too late.
Within a Sentence: We got to the movie just in time. / He arrived just in time for cake.
In Other Words: Barely made it. / Right on the dot.
15. Ahead of time
Meaning: Earlier than planned.
Within a Sentence: I finished my homework ahead of time. / We got to school ahead of time.
In Other Words: Early. / Not late.
16. Bide your time
Meaning: Wait patiently.
Within a Sentence: I bide my time until my turn. / She bided her time to ask a question.
In Other Words: Wait calmly. / Don’t rush.
17. Run out the clock
Meaning: Use up the time to win or avoid more action.
Within a Sentence: The team ran out the clock to win. / I ran out the clock at the end of class.
In Other Words: Use up time. / Wait it out.
18. Have all the time in the world
Meaning: Have a lot of time.
Within a Sentence: On vacation, we have all the time in the world. / No rush, we have all the time in the world.
In Other Words: No hurry. / Lots of time.
19. From time to time
Meaning: Sometimes, not often.
Within a Sentence: I visit my cousin from time to time. / We eat pizza from time to time.
In Other Words: Now and then. / Not daily.
20. Only a matter of time
Meaning: Something will happen soon.
Within a Sentence: It’s only a matter of time before it rains. / It’s only a matter of time before summer starts.
In Other Words: Will happen soon. / Coming up.
21. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly.
Within a Sentence: We finished the test in no time. / She cleaned her room in no time.
In Other Words: Super fast. / Quickly done.
22. On time
Meaning: At the right time.
Within a Sentence: I arrived at school on time. / We started the movie on time.
In Other Words: Not late. / Right when planned.
23. About time
Meaning: It should have happened sooner.
Within a Sentence: It’s about time you cleaned your room! / About time we got ice cream!
In Other Words: Finally. / Took long enough.
24. Time after time
Meaning: Again and again.
Within a Sentence: Time after time, he forgets his lunch. / She helps me time after time.
In Other Words: Many times. / Often.
25. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all.
Within a Sentence: He finally said sorry better late than never. / I turned in my work better late than never.
In Other Words: At least it happened. / Still good.
26. Time of your life
Meaning: A very fun time.
Within a Sentence: I had the time of my life at the park. / She had the time of her life at the party.
In Other Words: Great time. / So much fun.
27. A race against time
Meaning: A hurry to finish something before the time ends.
Within a Sentence: It was a race against time to finish the test. / We were in a race against time to get to the airport.
In Other Words: Hurry up. / Rush before time ends.
28. Turn back the clock
Meaning: Go back to the past.
Within a Sentence: I wish we could turn back the clock to summer. / Grandma talks like she wants to turn back the clock.
In Other Words: Go to earlier days. / Return to the past.
29. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Happens very rarely.
Within a Sentence: We go to that lake once in a blue moon. / He gets sick once in a blue moon.
In Other Words: Hardly ever. / Not often.
30. The time is ripe
Meaning: It’s the right moment to do something.
Within a Sentence: The time is ripe to start our art project. / The time is ripe to plant the seeds.
In Other Words: Good time. / Best moment.
31. Crunch time
Meaning: A short period to finish something quickly.
Within a Sentence: It’s crunch time before the test. / We’re in crunch time with the project.
In Other Words: Hurry time. / Big rush.
32. Living on borrowed time
Meaning: Something is lasting longer than expected.
Within a Sentence: That old phone is living on borrowed time. / My bike is living on borrowed time it’s falling apart.
In Other Words: Lasting longer than it should. / Won’t last much longer.
33. Time stands still
Meaning: It feels like time isn’t moving.
Within a Sentence: Time stood still during the hug. / I felt like time stood still at the beach.
In Other Words: Felt slow. / Calm moment.
34. Have a whale of a time
Meaning: Have a great time.
Within a Sentence: We had a whale of a time at the zoo. / I had a whale of a time with my cousins.
In Other Words: Big fun. / Loved it.
35. Behind schedule
Meaning: Later than planned.
Within a Sentence: We’re behind schedule on our homework. / The train is behind schedule.
In Other Words: Running late. / Not on time.
36. Make up for lost time
Meaning: Do more now because of lost chances earlier.
Within a Sentence: We made up for lost time by playing longer. / I made up for lost time by reading extra pages.
In Other Words: Catch up. / Do more now.
37. In due time
Meaning: It will happen at the right moment.
Within a Sentence: You’ll learn it in due time. / We’ll go to the park in due time.
In Other Words: Wait a bit. / Later, when ready.
38. Cut it close
Meaning: Almost run out of time.
Within a Sentence: We cut it close but made the bus. / I cut it close finishing the project.
In Other Words: Just made it. / Almost late.
39. Waste of time
Meaning: Doing something useless.
Within a Sentence: That movie was a waste of time. / Arguing was a waste of time.
In Other Words: Didn’t help. / Not worth it.
40. Make the most of your time
Meaning: Use your time wisely.
Within a Sentence: Let’s make the most of our weekend. / I made the most of my study time.
In Other Words: Use it well. / Don’t waste it.
41. Buy some time
Meaning: Delay something to get extra time.
Within a Sentence: I asked a question to buy some time. / He joked to buy time before the test.
In Other Words: Stall. / Get a little more time.
42. Take your time
Meaning: Go slowly, no rush.
Within a Sentence: Take your time on the puzzle. / You can take your time reading.
In Other Words: No hurry. / Go at your pace.
43. In the long run
Meaning: Over a long period.
Within a Sentence: In the long run, studying helps you. / Eating healthy is better in the long run.
In Other Words: Later. / Over time.
44. At the eleventh hour
Meaning: At the last moment.
Within a Sentence: He showed up at the eleventh hour. / I did my project at the eleventh hour.
In Other Words: Very last minute. / Just before it’s too late.
45. A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: Fixing a small problem early stops bigger problems later.
Within a Sentence: Fixing your shoe now is smart. A stitch in time saves nine. / I cleaned up early because a stitch in time saves nine.
In Other Words: Solve small things early. / Don’t wait.
46. Once upon a time
Meaning: A long time ago.
Within a Sentence: Once upon a time, there was a kind king. / Grandma told a story that began with “Once upon a time.”
In Other Words: Long ago. / In the past.
47. Have no time for
Meaning: Don’t want to deal with it.
Within a Sentence: I have no time for drama. / She has no time for rude people.
In Other Words: Don’t care for it. / Not dealing with it.
48. Take forever
Meaning: Take a really long time.
Within a Sentence: He takes forever to get ready. / This download is taking forever.
In Other Words: So slow. / Too long.
49. Clock in / clock out
Meaning: Start or end work or school.
Within a Sentence: I clock in at 8 a.m. / Dad clocks out after work.
In Other Words: Start or end work time. / Log hours.
50. Turn the clock back
Meaning: Go back to an earlier time or way.
Within a Sentence: I wish we could turn the clock back to summer. / They want to turn the clock back to old times.
In Other Words: Go to the past. / Old ways.
51. Second wind
Meaning: New energy after feeling tired.
Within a Sentence: I got a second wind during the race. / She got her second wind after dinner.
In Other Words: Felt strong again. / Got energy back.
52. Clock is ticking
Meaning: Time is running out.
Within a Sentence: The clock is ticking on our homework. / The clock is ticking before bedtime.
In Other Words: Time is almost up. / Hurry.
53. Long time no see
Meaning: Haven’t seen someone in a while.
Within a Sentence: Long time no see! / It’s been a long time no see since school ended.
In Other Words: Been a while. / Missed you.
54. Do time
Meaning: Be in jail.
Within a Sentence: The thief did time for stealing. / He did time for breaking the law.
In Other Words: Went to jail. / Locked up.
55. All in good time
Meaning: It will happen later when it’s right.
Within a Sentence: You’ll get a turn, all in good time. / Be patient all in good time.
In Other Words: Wait your turn. / Be patient.
56. Beat the buzzer
Meaning: Do something just before the deadline.
Within a Sentence: I beat the buzzer and turned in my test. / She beat the buzzer and made the shot.
In Other Words: Just in time. / Last second.
57. At a moment’s notice
Meaning: Right away, without warning.
Within a Sentence: Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. / He can sing at a moment’s notice.
In Other Words: Anytime. / Really quick.
58. Living in the past
Meaning: Thinking too much about old times.
Within a Sentence: He’s living in the past with that music. / Stop living in the past and move on.
In Other Words: Stuck before. / Not thinking now.
59. Time on your hands
Meaning: Have free time.
Within a Sentence: I had time on my hands, so I drew pictures. / With time on my hands, I cleaned my desk.
In Other Words: Not busy. / Free time.
60. Time is of the essence
Meaning: It’s important to act quickly.
Within a Sentence: Hurry time is of the essence! / In this race, time is of the essence.
In Other Words: Don’t wait. / Move fast.
Idioms for Time – True/False Quiz
Read each sentence. Decide if it correctly shows an idiom for time. Write True or False.
- If you “beat the clock,” you finished something late.
- “Time flies” means time feels like it moves slowly.
- “Around the clock” means something is happening all day and night.
- “In the nick of time” means you missed the deadline.
- Saying “time is money” means time has no value.
- If you “call it a day,” you are taking a short nap.
- “Make time” means to find time for something important.
- “Kill time” means to use time while waiting.
- “Just in time” means you showed up early.
- “Once in a blue moon” means something happens very often.
- “Take your time” means to rush through something.
- “Better late than never” means it’s good that something happened, even if it was late.
- If you “cut it close,” you are almost late.
- “Time on your hands” means you are very busy.
- “Turn back the clock” means to go back to an earlier time or memory.
Answer Key
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Time Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Time Idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Time Idioms together!
Conclusion
Idioms about time help us speak in fun and simple ways. Instead of always saying things directly, we can use phrases like “time flies” or “beat the clock” to make talking more exciting. These idioms are used every day by people in school, at home, or at work.
By learning them, you can better understand others and even sound more interesting when you speak or write. Keep practicing, and try using some of these idioms in your own conversations. It’ll help you sound more natural and clear.
