Time is something we all think about every day. We check the clock to know when to go to school, when to eat, or when to play. Time helps us stay organized and make plans. Sometimes, we use special phrases to talk about time. These phrases are called idioms. They don’t always mean what the words say, but people understand them because they are used so often.
For example, if someone says, “Time flies,” they don’t mean it has wings! They mean time goes by very fast. Idioms like this help us speak in fun and interesting ways. In this article, you will learn 40 idioms that are all about time. Each one comes with a simple meaning and examples to help you understand how to use them. These idioms will help you talk about time in a way that sounds natural and fun.
Idioms for Time
1. Time flies
Meaning: Time goes by quickly.
For Example: Summer break was so fun, time flew by. / My birthday party ended fast because time flies when you’re having fun.
Alternatively: The day went by fast. / Hours passed quickly.
2. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before time runs out.
For Example: I beat the clock and finished my homework before dinner. / She beat the clock during the math quiz.
Alternatively: Finished just in time. / Got it done quickly.
3. Around the clock
Meaning: All day and all night.
For Example: The hospital is open around the clock. / Dad worked around the clock to fix the car.
Alternatively: 24 hours. / Day and night.
4. Behind the times
Meaning: Old-fashioned or not updated.
For Example: That phone is behind the times. / Grandma’s TV is behind the times.
Alternatively: Outdated. / Not modern.
5. On the dot
Meaning: Exactly on time.
For Example: The bell rang at 8 a.m. on the dot. / The movie started on the dot.
Alternatively: Right on time. / Exactly when planned.
6. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working for now.
For Example: We finished the project, so let’s call it a day. / Dad called it a day after mowing the lawn.
Alternatively: Done for now. / Time to stop.
7. Make time
Meaning: Find time to do something.
For Example: I make time to read every night. / She made time to help me with my homework.
Alternatively: Fit it in. / Set time aside.
8. Time is up
Meaning: No more time left.
For Example: Time is up, so put your pencils down. / The game ended because time was up.
Alternatively: Time’s over. / It’s finished.
9. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just before it was too late.
For Example: I caught the bus in the nick of time. / She grabbed the ball in the nick of time.
Alternatively: Just in time. / Almost missed it.
10. Bide your time
Meaning: Wait for the right moment.
For Example: He’s biding his time to ask a question. / I’ll bide my time until the line is shorter.
Alternatively: Wait patiently. / Hold off for now.
11. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s okay to be late if you show up.
For Example: She arrived after the game started, but better late than never. / I turned in my paper late,better late than never.
Alternatively: At least you came. / It’s fine if you’re late.
12. Save time
Meaning: Do something faster.
For Example: Using a calculator saves time. / We saved time by doing chores together.
Alternatively: Be quicker. / Don’t waste time.
13. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly.
For Example: We finished the puzzle in no time. / She got ready in no time at all.
Alternatively: Super fast. / Really quick.
14. All in good time
Meaning: Something will happen when it’s supposed to.
For Example: You’ll ride your bike without training wheels all in good time. / Don’t worry, you’ll get your turn all in good time.
Alternatively: Be patient. / It’ll happen soon.
15. A matter of time
Meaning: Something will happen soon.
For Example: It’s only a matter of time before the snow melts. / It’s a matter of time before she wins a prize.
Alternatively: It’ll happen. / Soon enough.
16. Time will tell
Meaning: We’ll find out later.
For Example: Time will tell if the new rule helps. / Time will tell if I pass the test.
Alternatively: We’ll see. / Wait and find out.
17. Kill time
Meaning: Do something while waiting.
For Example: I read a book to kill time at the doctor’s office. / We played a game to kill time before dinner.
Alternatively: Pass time. / Stay busy while waiting.
18. On borrowed time
Meaning: Using extra time before something ends.
For Example: That old car is running on borrowed time. / We finished the test and were on borrowed time.
Alternatively: Extra time. / Almost out of time.
19. Take your time
Meaning: Don’t rush.
For Example: Take your time on the test. / She told me to take my time with the painting.
Alternatively: Go slow. / No need to hurry.
20. Third time’s the charm
Meaning: Success comes after trying a few times.
For Example: I missed twice, but the third time’s the charm. / He won after two tries,third time’s the charm.
Alternatively: Try again. / It’ll work next time.
21. Time and time again
Meaning: Something happens often.
For Example: I’ve told him time and time again to clean his room. / She wins time and time again at spelling bees.
Alternatively: Over and over. / Many times.
22. A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: Fixing a problem early saves more trouble later.
For Example: I fixed the leak fast,a stitch in time saves nine. / She studied early, knowing a stitch in time saves nine.
Alternatively: Fix it now. / Don’t wait.
23. Out of time
Meaning: No time left.
For Example: We were out of time, so we stopped playing. / The test ended, and I was out of time.
Alternatively: Too late. / Time’s gone.
24. In due time
Meaning: It will happen at the right time.
For Example: You’ll learn to swim in due time. / In due time, you’ll be ready for middle school.
Alternatively: When ready. / At the right moment.
25. Buy time
Meaning: Do something to get more time.
For Example: I asked a question to buy time on the test. / He told a joke to buy time before the speech.
Alternatively: Delay a little. / Stretch the time.
26. Crunch time
Meaning: A short time to get a lot done.
For Example: It’s crunch time before the big game. / We had crunch time before the science fair.
Alternatively: Final moments. / Work fast now.
27. At the eleventh hour
Meaning: At the last moment.
For Example: He finished his project at the eleventh hour. / We solved the puzzle at the eleventh hour.
Alternatively: Just in time. / Very last minute.
28. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Happens very rarely.
For Example: We see a rainbow once in a blue moon. / She visits once in a blue moon.
Alternatively: Not often. / Almost never.
29. Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable.
For Example: He said, “Time is money,” and worked quickly. / Let’s not waste time,time is money.
Alternatively: Use time well. / Don’t waste it.
30. Living on borrowed time
Meaning: Something is expected to end soon.
For Example: That computer is living on borrowed time. / The team kept playing, living on borrowed time.
Alternatively: Almost out of time. / Just lasting.
31. Race against time
Meaning: Rushing to do something before a deadline.
For Example: We were in a race against time to finish our project. / It was a race against time before the rain started.
Alternatively: Hurry up. / Deadline pressure.
32. Like clockwork
Meaning: Happens regularly or without problems.
For Example: The school bus comes like clockwork. / She practices piano like clockwork every night.
Alternatively: Always on time. / Very regular.
33. Ahead of time
Meaning: Before the planned time.
For Example: We arrived at the party ahead of time. / He finished the worksheet ahead of time.
Alternatively: Early. / Done before needed.
34. A race against the clock
Meaning: Trying to do something very fast before time runs out.
For Example: It was a race against the clock to turn in the form. / The firemen had a race against the clock.
Alternatively: Hurry. / Beat the deadline.
35. Big time
Meaning: A lot or very much.
For Example: She messed up big time. / I want to win big time.
Alternatively: Really badly. / Very much.
36. A day late and a dollar short
Meaning: Too late and not enough.
For Example: I forgot my homework,a day late and a dollar short. / He missed the bus,a day late and a dollar short.
Alternatively: Late and unready. / Missed out.
37. Have a hard time
Meaning: Struggle with something.
For Example: I have a hard time waking up early. / She had a hard time with the math problem.
Alternatively: Find it tough. / It’s not easy.
38. From time to time
Meaning: Sometimes.
For Example: I visit my cousin from time to time. / From time to time, we eat out.
Alternatively: Now and then. / Occasionally.
39. At the right time
Meaning: When it’s best or perfect to do something.
For Example: He spoke up at the right time. / She asked for help at the right time.
Alternatively: Perfect timing. / Good moment.
40. The time is ripe
Meaning: Now is the best moment.
For Example: The time is ripe to start the project. / We planted seeds when the time was ripe.
Alternatively: Good time. / Right moment.
True/False Quiz: Idioms for Time
Instructions: Read each statement and decide if it is true or false. Think about the meaning of the idioms.
- “Time flies” means time is moving very slowly.
True / False - If you “beat the clock,” you finish something before time runs out.
True / False - “In no time” means something takes a very long time to happen.
True / False - Saying “third time’s the charm” means you always fail if you try three times.
True / False - If someone is “on the dot,” they are exactly on time.
True / False - “Kill time” means to use time wisely on important tasks.
True / False - When someone says “a race against time,” it means they have plenty of time to finish.
True / False - “Once in a blue moon” means something happens very often.
True / False - If you “call it a day,” you are done working for now.
True / False - “The time is ripe” means it’s a bad time to do something.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
Scoring Guide
- 10 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 7–9 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms,nice work!
- 4–6 Correct Answers: You’re learning,keep going!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Time is important in our daily lives. We talk about it when we plan, wait, or finish something. Idioms help us explain time in fun and simple ways.
By learning these phrases, you can speak more clearly and understand what others mean. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll use these idioms without even thinking about them.
