Introduction to Top 40 Idioms About Time
We often talk about time, like how we spend it, waste it, or wish for more of it. English is full of colourful idioms about time that help us express urgency, regret, patience, and anything in between.
Common idioms can be useful if you’re preparing for IELTS, teaching ESL, or simply for improving your fluency. These time expressions in English are going to make your language sound more natural and expressive.
What Are Idioms About Time?
Idioms are fixed expressions; their meanings differ from the literal meanings of the words. Idioms about time are especially useful in conversations, workplace communication, and storytelling! For example:
- “I’m pressed for time” doesn’t mean someone is physically pressed. It means they’re very busy.
Learning time idioms helps you:
- Understand native speakers better
- Sound more fluent and natural
- Add colour and emotion to your speech
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40 Common Time Idioms (with Meanings and Examples)
Below are 40 idioms about time, divided into five themes.
Idioms About Being Busy or in a Hurry
1. Pressed for time — very busy or short on time
I’m really pressed for time, so let’s make it quick.
He was too pressed for time to stop for lunch.
2. In the nick of time — just before it’s too late
We caught the train in the nick of time.
The firefighters arrived in the nick of time to save the house.
3. Against the clock — doing something quickly before a deadline
The team worked against the clock to finish the report.
We were racing against the clock to meet the client’s expectations.
4. Race against time — a desperate effort to complete something quickly
Doctors were in a race against time to save the patient.
It was a race against time to get the proposal ready before the meeting.
5. In a rush — doing something too quickly, often carelessly
She left her bag at home because she was in a rush.
You’re always in a rush and that’s why you make mistakes.
6. Time flies — time passes very quickly
Time flies when you’re having fun.
I can’t believe it’s already December. Time really flies.
7. At a moment’s notice — with very little warning or preparation
They were ready to travel at a moment’s notice.
She can be called into work at a moment’s notice.
8. Make every second count — use time efficiently and effectively
We have a short deadline, so make every second count.
When preparing for exams, she made every second count.
Idioms About Waiting or Patience
9. Bide your time — wait patiently for the right moment
She’s biding her time before applying for promotion.
He decided to bide his time until the perfect opportunity came along.
10. Kill time — do something while waiting
We played cards to kill time before our flight.
He read a magazine to kill time at the dentist’s office.
11. Take your time — don’t rush; be patient
You don’t need to hurry. Take your time.
She took her time answering each question carefully.
12. Time on your hands — having more free time than needed
Since retiring, he’s had too much time on his hands.
She learned Spanish because she had time on her hands during the holidays.
13. All in good time — eventually; when the time is right
You’ll get promoted all in good time.
Everything will happen all in good time, so be patient.
14. At the right time — when circumstances are ideal
Everything fell into place at the right time.
He started his business at the right time and succeeded quickly.
15. Patience is a virtue — being patient is a valuable quality
Be patient. Remember that patience is a virtue.
In teaching young children, patience is truly a virtue.
16. Wait it out — remain patient until a situation changes
We’ll just have to wait it out until the storm passes.
They decided to wait it out rather than rush into a bad deal.
Idioms About Missed or Lost Opportunities
17. A matter of time — something that will definitely happen sooner or later
It’s only a matter of time before prices rise.
With his talent, it’s just a matter of time before he gets promoted.
18. Better late than never — doing something late is better than not doing it
He finally apologised. Better late than never.
I sent the card a week late, but better late than never.
19. Behind the times — old-fashioned or outdated
My grandad’s ideas are a bit behind the times.
Some of the school’s policies are really behind the times.
20. Make up for lost time — do something quickly to catch up
After the lockdown, travellers tried to make up for lost time.
I’ve been working hard to make up for lost time on my studies.
21. Miss the boat — lose an opportunity by acting too late
We missed the boat on that investment opportunity.
She missed the boat by not applying for the job sooner.
22. Out of date — no longer useful or relevant
These figures are out of date and need updating.
His fashion sense is completely out of date.
23. Out of time — have no time left to finish something
We’re out of time, so let’s continue tomorrow.
The team ran out of time before they could fix the issue.
24. Third time’s the charm — success after multiple attempts
He failed twice, but the third time’s the charm.
After two unsuccessful interviews, she got the job on her third try.
Idioms About Deadlines and Urgency
25. At the eleventh hour — just before a deadline
They submitted the project at the eleventh hour.
The company made changes to the design at the eleventh hour.
26. Call it a day — stop working for the day
Let’s call it a day and go home.
After ten hours of work, the team decided to call it a day.
27. Beat the clock — finish something before the time runs out
We managed to beat the clock and send the report early.
They beat the clock by completing the project two days ahead of schedule.
28. By the time — when something happens in relation to another
We’ll be finished by the time they arrive.
By the time he got home, dinner was already cold.
29. Down to the wire — close to the deadline with little time left
The negotiations went down to the wire.
It was down to the wire, but they managed to deliver on time.
30. In good time — with time to spare; not late
We arrived at the airport in good time.
Please arrive in good time for the presentation.
31. Running late — being delayed or behind schedule
Sorry, I’m running late for our meeting.
The train is running late due to technical issues.
32. At short notice — with little advance warning
Thanks for helping us at such short notice.
They called the meeting at short notice and everyone was surprised.
Idioms About the Past and Future
33. Once in a blue moon — very rarely
He visits his parents once in a blue moon.
I only eat dessert once in a blue moon.
34. From time to time — occasionally
I go hiking from time to time.
We meet for coffee from time to time to catch up.
35. Ahead of your time — very modern or innovative
Her designs were ahead of their time.
He was an inventor ahead of his time.
36. Before your time — happened before you were born or involved
That band was popular before your time.
This rule existed long before your time at the company.
37. The time is ripe — now is the right moment to act
The time is ripe to expand into new markets.
Investors believe the time is ripe to buy property.
38. Back in the day — in the past, usually nostalgically
Back in the day, we used to spend all summer outside.
Things were simpler back in the day.
39. Time will tell — the future will reveal the outcome
We don’t know if the plan will work, but time will tell.
Only time will tell whether this decision was the right one.
40. Ahead of schedule — finished earlier than planned
We completed the project ahead of schedule.
The construction team finished ahead of schedule and under budget.
How to Practise Time Idioms
1. Use them in context
Try adding one idiom about time into your next English conversation or email. Or message us on social media!
2. Make a personal example
Relate each idiom to your life:
“I only go to the gym once in a blue moon.”
3. Group study or quiz
Challenge a partner: one reads the idiom, the other explains or gives an example.
Summary
Idioms about time make English more expressive and authentic. For teaching and learning, they reveal how speakers feel about time, not just how they measure it.
Glossary Section
- idiom (n.) — a fixed expression with a meaning different from the literal words.
- expression (n.) — a phrase used to convey a particular idea or feeling.
- deadline (n.) — a time limit for completing something.
- context (n.) — the situation in which a word or phrase is used.
- figurative (adj.) — not literal; using imagery or imagination.
Practice What You Learned
Questions
- Which idiom means “just before it’s too late”?
A) Time on your hands
B) In the nick of time
C) Call it a day
D) From time to time - True or False: “Behind the times” means very modern.
- Complete the sentence:
You should submit your project before the deadline, not at the ______ hour. - Which idiom means “to wait patiently”?
A) Bide your time
B) Kill time
C) Beat the clock
D) Pressed for time - Give your own example sentence using make up for lost time.
Answers
- B — In the nick of time
- False
- eleventh
- A — Bide your time
- (Your own sentence! Send it to us if you want)
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