Time is always moving. It doesn’t stop for anyone. You might notice it most when you’re waiting for the bell to ring or when a fun day ends too fast. People often use special phrases, called idioms, to talk about how time feels. These idioms don’t mean exactly what the words say, but they help explain things in fun or clever ways.
In this article, you’ll learn some common idioms about time passing. These will help you understand what people mean when they say things like “time flies” or “in the blink of an eye.” Knowing these idioms can help you in reading, writing, and everyday talk. Let’s look at how people describe time moving by quickly, slowly, or something in between.
Idioms about Time Passing
1. Time flies
Meaning: Time goes by very fast.
For Example: Time flies when I play outside with my friends. / It felt like time flew during our class party.
Alternatively: The day went by so fast. / That hour disappeared quickly.
2. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Something happens very quickly.
For Example: Summer vacation ended in the blink of an eye. / My birthday party was over in the blink of an eye.
Alternatively: It was over before I knew it. / It happened so fast.
3. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before time runs out.
For Example: We beat the clock and turned in our test early. / I beat the clock by getting ready before the bus came.
Alternatively: Finished just in time. / Raced against the clock.
4. Around the clock
Meaning: All day and all night.
For Example: Nurses work around the clock to help patients. / We cleaned around the clock to get ready for the party.
Alternatively: All day long. / Non-stop.
5. Behind the times
Meaning: Old-fashioned or not up to date.
For Example: That phone is really behind the times. / Grandma’s music is behind the times, but fun.
Alternatively: Not modern. / Out of date.
6. Ahead of time
Meaning: Earlier than expected.
For Example: I finished my homework ahead of time. / We got to the game ahead of time.
Alternatively: Early. / Before the deadline.
7. Against the clock
Meaning: Rushing to get something done before time is up.
For Example: We were working against the clock to finish our group project. / I felt like I was racing against the clock.
Alternatively: In a hurry. / Running out of time.
8. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working for now.
For Example: After hours of practice, we called it a day. / Let’s call it a day and go home.
Alternatively: Time to stop. / We’re done for now.
9. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly.
For Example: I cleaned my room in no time. / He learned the song in no time.
Alternatively: Very fast. / Quickly.
10. Kill time
Meaning: Do something to pass the time.
For Example: We played a game to kill time before dinner. / I read a book while waiting, just to kill time.
Alternatively: Waste time. / Fill the time.
11. Make time
Meaning: Find time for something.
For Example: I always make time for my dog. / Mom makes time to read to me every night.
Alternatively: Set time aside. / Plan for it.
12. Take your time
Meaning: Don’t rush.
For Example: Take your time on the quiz. / You can take your time painting your picture.
Alternatively: No need to hurry. / Go slow.
13. Time will tell
Meaning: We’ll see what happens later.
For Example: Time will tell if we win the contest. / Time will tell if I get better at math.
Alternatively: We’ll find out. / Wait and see.
14. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
For Example: We visit that park once in a blue moon. / He plays that game once in a blue moon.
Alternatively: Not often. / Very rare.
15. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just before it’s too late.
For Example: I got on the bus in the nick of time. / He caught the ball in the nick of time.
Alternatively: Just made it. / Barely on time.
16. Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable, like money.
For Example: Let’s finish fast because time is money. / Dad says time is money when he’s busy.
Alternatively: Don’t waste time. / Use time wisely.
17. On the dot
Meaning: Exactly on time.
For Example: The bus came at 7 a.m. on the dot. / He arrived on the dot for dinner.
Alternatively: Right on time. / Not late.
18. A race against time
Meaning: Try to do something before time runs out.
For Example: We were in a race against time to finish the project. / It was a race against time to reach school.
Alternatively: Hurry up. / Finish fast.
19. Living on borrowed time
Meaning: Living longer than expected.
For Example: The old computer is living on borrowed time. / That light bulb is living on borrowed time.
Alternatively: Might stop working soon. / Lasts longer than expected.
20. Out of time
Meaning: No time left.
For Example: I was out of time before I finished the test. / We were out of time to play another game.
Alternatively: Time’s up. / No more time.
21. At the eleventh hour
Meaning: At the last possible moment.
For Example: He finished his homework at the eleventh hour. / We got the tickets at the eleventh hour.
Alternatively: Just in time. / Very last minute.
22. Take a trip down memory lane
Meaning: Think about the past.
For Example: Looking at old photos takes me down memory lane. / We took a trip down memory lane at Grandma’s house.
Alternatively: Remember the past. / Think of old times.
23. Time after time
Meaning: Again and again.
For Example: I ask my brother to be quiet time after time. / She wins time after time.
Alternatively: Many times. / Repeatedly.
24. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s okay to do something late instead of not at all.
For Example: I finally cleaned my closet better late than never! / He turned in his project late, but better late than never.
Alternatively: It’s still good to finish. / Not too late.
25. From time to time
Meaning: Sometimes, but not often.
For Example: I play chess from time to time. / We visit my aunt from time to time.
Alternatively: Now and then. / Occasionally.
26. Just in time
Meaning: Right before it was too late.
For Example: I got to class just in time. / We made it to the theater just in time.
Alternatively: Barely made it. / Not late.
27. All in good time
Meaning: Things will happen when they are supposed to.
For Example: You’ll get your turn all in good time. / The cookies will be ready all in good time.
Alternatively: Be patient. / It will happen soon.
28. High time
Meaning: It’s the right moment to do something.
For Example: It’s high time we clean our room. / It’s high time I return that book.
Alternatively: It should’ve been done already. / It’s about time.
29. Time stands still
Meaning: Everything feels frozen or very calm.
For Example: When I’m with my grandma, it feels like time stands still. / Time stood still during the quiet snowfall.
Alternatively: Felt peaceful. / Nothing moved.
30. Ahead of your time
Meaning: Having ideas or actions before others understand them.
For Example: Her invention was ahead of its time. / His drawing was ahead of its time.
Alternatively: Very smart early. / Future thinking.
31. Bide your time
Meaning: Wait for the right moment.
For Example: I’ll bide my time before asking for help. / He bided his time before taking his shot in the game.
Alternatively: Wait patiently. / Hold on.
32. In due time
Meaning: Something will happen eventually.
For Example: You’ll learn the game in due time. / I’ll finish the book in due time.
Alternatively: It will happen soon. / Not now, but later.
33. Mark time
Meaning: Wait without doing anything important.
For Example: We marked time until the bell rang. / She marked time waiting for the movie to start.
Alternatively: Wait around. / Pass time.
34. At a moment’s notice
Meaning: Very quickly, with little warning.
For Example: We packed up at a moment’s notice. / He left the party at a moment’s notice.
Alternatively: Right away. / No delay.
35. Not born yesterday
Meaning: Not easily fooled because of experience.
For Example: I wasn’t born yesterday I know you ate the cookies. / She said, “I wasn’t born yesterday” when I tried to trick her.
Alternatively: I’m not silly. / I know better.
36. Third time’s a charm
Meaning: The third try usually works.
For Example: I missed twice, but third time’s a charm I made the shot! / She passed her test the third time.
Alternatively: Try again. / It’ll work this time.
37. Once upon a time
Meaning: A long time ago.
For Example: Once upon a time, there was a little town. / We tell stories that start with “Once upon a time.”
Alternatively: Long ago. / In the past.
38. At the crack of dawn
Meaning: Very early in the morning.
For Example: We left for the trip at the crack of dawn. / Dad goes jogging at the crack of dawn.
Alternatively: Early morning. / When the sun rises.
39. For the time being
Meaning: For now, but not forever.
For Example: You can use my pencil for the time being. / For the time being, we’ll stay inside.
Alternatively: Just for now. / Temporary.
40. Have the time of your life
Meaning: Have a lot of fun.
For Example: I had the time of my life at the amusement park. / We had the time of our lives at the party.
Alternatively: Had so much fun. / Best time ever.
True/False Quiz: Idioms About Time Passing
- “Time flies” means time is moving very slowly.
True / False - If someone finishes something “in the nick of time,” they finished it just before it was too late.
True / False - Saying “once in a blue moon” means something happens all the time.
True / False - “Kill time” means to stop time from passing.
True / False - If you “call it a day,” you are stopping your work.
True / False - “At the crack of dawn” means very late at night.
True / False - “Have the time of your life” means you’re having a really good time.
True / False - “Bide your time” means you rush to do something right away.
True / False - “Time stands still” means everything feels calm or frozen in that moment.
True / False - “Behind the times” means something is old-fashioned.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
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 always moving. Sometimes it feels fast, and other times it feels slow. Idioms help us talk about time in fun and easy ways. When we say things like “time flies” or “in the nick of time,” we are sharing how we feel.
Learning these idioms helps us understand others and express ourselves better. The more we practice, the more natural they will sound. Keep using these phrases, and they’ll soon be part of your everyday talking and writing.
