Time idioms help you talk about deadlines, delays, frequency, waiting, and how quickly or slowly time seems to pass. Some are strongly figurative, while others are fixed expressions commonly taught with time-related idioms.
For example, the clock is ticking does not usually mean that someone is listening to a clock. It means that time is running out and a decision or action is needed soon.
30 Time Idioms at a Glance
| No. | Time Idiom | Short Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Time flies | Time passes quickly |
| 2 | In the blink of an eye | Extremely quickly |
| 3 | Where did the time go? | Time passed surprisingly fast |
| 4 | Time drags | Time seems to pass slowly |
| 5 | Stand the test of time | Remain successful or useful for years |
| 6 | Against the clock | Work quickly before time runs out |
| 7 | Race against time | Act urgently before it is too late |
| 8 | Beat the clock | Finish before a deadline |
| 9 | Pressed for time | Have very little time available |
| 10 | Run out of time | Have no time left |
| 11 | Time is of the essence | Immediate action is necessary |
| 12 | No time to lose | Action must begin at once |
| 13 | In the nick of time | Just before it is too late |
| 14 | At the eleventh hour | At the last possible moment |
| 15 | It’s high time | Something should happen now |
| 16 | About time | Something happened later than expected |
| 17 | Ahead of time | Earlier than planned |
| 18 | Right on time | Exactly at the expected time |
| 19 | In good time | Early enough |
| 20 | All in good time | Something will happen at the proper moment |
| 21 | Once in a blue moon | Very rarely |
| 22 | From time to time | Occasionally |
| 23 | Nine times out of ten | Almost always |
| 24 | Time after time | Repeatedly |
| 25 | Every now and then | Occasionally |
| 26 | Kill time | Do something while waiting |
| 27 | Buy time | Delay something to gain more time |
| 28 | Bide your time | Wait patiently for the right opportunity |
| 29 | Make up for lost time | Compensate for earlier delay |
| 30 | Call it a day | Stop working for now |
Idioms About Time Passing
These expressions describe time moving quickly, slowly, or lasting over many years.
1. Time Flies
Meaning: Time seems to pass very quickly, especially when you are busy or enjoying yourself.
Example: Time flew while the children built cardboard castles across the living room.
The idiom often appears in the longer expression time flies when you’re having fun.
2. In the Blink of an Eye
Meaning: Something happens extremely quickly.
Example: In the blink of an eye, the calm street filled with runners waiting for the race to begin.
This expression emphasizes sudden change or speed.
3. Where Did the Time Go?
Meaning: Used when time seems to have passed faster than expected.
Example: We started organizing the old family albums after lunch, and suddenly it was dark outside. Where did the time go?
It is usually used as a conversational question rather than a request for a literal answer.
4. Time Drags
Meaning: Time seems to pass very slowly.
Example: Time dragged during the delayed train journey because none of the passengers knew when service would resume.
The expression often describes boredom, discomfort, or impatience.
5. Stand the Test of Time
Meaning: Remain valuable, respected, effective, or popular for a long period.
Example: The novel has stood the test of time because its themes still connect with modern readers.
This idiom is commonly used for books, ideas, traditions, designs, and inventions.
Idioms About Urgency and Limited Time
These time idioms all involve pressure, but they describe different stages of urgency.
6. Against the Clock
Meaning: Working quickly because a strict time limit is approaching.
Example: The airport crew worked against the clock to unload the medical supplies before the runway closed.
Use this idiom when someone must complete a task within limited time.
7. Race Against Time
Meaning: An urgent effort to finish something before delay causes a serious problem.
Example: Rescue teams faced a race against time to reach the hikers before temperatures dropped overnight.
This expression often sounds more serious than against the clock.
8. Beat the Clock
Meaning: Complete something before a deadline or time limit expires.
Example: Leah beat the clock by submitting the scholarship form three minutes before the portal closed.
The focus is on succeeding before time runs out.
9. Pressed for Time
Meaning: Having very little time available.
Example: I was pressed for time, so I reviewed only the most urgent notes before the meeting.
This idiom describes the person’s situation rather than the final result.
10. Run Out of Time
Meaning: Reach the point when no time remains.
Example: The contestants ran out of time before they could decorate the final section of the cake.
This expression may refer to a formal time limit or an ordinary lack of time.
11. Time Is of the Essence
Meaning: Something must be done quickly because delay may cause a problem.
Example: Time is of the essence when reporting a lost bank card, so contact the provider immediately.
Usage: This expression is common in formal, legal, business, and urgent situations.
12. No Time to Lose
Meaning: Action must begin immediately.
Example: The sky was darkening over the trail, so the group knew there was no time to lose.
It is often used just before someone starts urgent action.
Idioms About Timing and the Right Moment
These expressions describe actions that happen early, late, exactly on schedule, or at the final possible moment.
13. In the Nick of Time
Meaning: Just before it becomes too late.
Example: The mechanic tightened the loose wheel in the nick of time, moments before the delivery van left the depot.
This expression suggests a narrow escape from delay or failure.
14. At the Eleventh Hour
Meaning: At the last possible moment.
Example: The council approved the funding at the eleventh hour, after weeks of uncertainty.
Unlike in the nick of time, this idiom often suggests that action was delayed until very late.
15. It’s High Time
Meaning: Something should already have happened and needs to happen now.
Example: It’s high time we repaired the broken gate instead of tying it shut every evening.
The usual structure is:
It’s high time + subject + past-tense verb
Although the verb appears in the past form, the meaning refers to the present.
16. About Time
Meaning: Used when something finally happens later than expected.
Example: It’s about time the landlord replaced the leaking kitchen tap.
This expression may sound impatient, critical, or relieved depending on tone.
17. Ahead of Time
Meaning: Earlier than planned, expected, or required.
Example: The museum opened the new exhibit ahead of time because preparations finished sooner than expected.
This expression is useful for schedules, deadlines, arrivals, and completed tasks.
18. Right on Time
Meaning: At exactly the expected or arranged time.
Example: The school bus arrived right on time despite the heavy morning traffic.
It means neither early nor late.
19. In Good Time
Meaning: Early enough to complete something comfortably or avoid rushing.
Example: We reached the theatre in good time and had several minutes to find our seats.
This expression usually suggests that enough time remained.
20. All in Good Time
Meaning: Something will happen when the proper moment arrives, so patience is needed.
Example: You will learn how the project ends, but all in good time.
This expression is often used to calm curiosity or impatience.
Timing Idioms Compared
| Expression | Main Idea |
|---|---|
| In the nick of time | Just before it is too late |
| At the eleventh hour | At the last possible moment |
| Right on time | Exactly at the expected time |
| In good time | Early enough to avoid rushing |
Idioms About Frequency
These expressions describe how often something happens.
21. Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Very rarely.
Example: We order dessert once in a blue moon, usually for a birthday or family celebration.
This idiom refers to something that does not happen often.
22. From Time to Time
Meaning: Occasionally, but not regularly.
Example: From time to time, the librarian displays handwritten letters from the town archive.
The expression is neutral and works in both conversation and writing.
23. Nine Times Out of Ten
Meaning: Almost always or in most cases.
Example: Nine times out of ten, a missing classroom pencil is found under a desk.
The number is not meant literally. It indicates a very high likelihood.
24. Time After Time
Meaning: Repeatedly.
Example: Time after time, the old printer stopped halfway through the largest documents.
This expression often carries frustration, emphasis, or admiration.
25. Every Now and Then
Meaning: Occasionally.
Example: Every now and then, we take the longer route home to walk beside the river.
This expression is slightly more conversational than from time to time.
Frequency Scale
| Expression | Approximate Frequency |
|---|---|
| Once in a blue moon | Very rarely |
| From time to time | Occasionally |
| Every now and then | Occasionally and conversational |
| Nine times out of ten | Almost always |
| Time after time | Repeatedly |
Idioms About Waiting, Delay, and Extra Time
These idioms describe what people do while waiting, how they delay action, and how they recover time that was lost.
26. Kill Time
Meaning: Do something unimportant or relaxing while waiting.
Example: We killed time at a small bookshop until the rain stopped and the outdoor concert reopened.
The activity is usually temporary and not the main purpose of the day.
27. Buy Time
Meaning: Delay a decision, event, or action so that more time becomes available.
Example: The spokesperson asked for additional documents to buy the team time before making a public announcement.
This expression often suggests a deliberate delay.
28. Bide Your Time
Meaning: Wait patiently for the right opportunity to act.
Example: Marcus bided his time until a suitable studio became available in the neighborhood.
This idiom implies patience and strategy rather than passive waiting.
29. Make Up for Lost Time
Meaning: Work harder, move faster, or spend more time on something after an earlier delay or missed opportunity.
Example: After recovering from her injury, Elena trained steadily to make up for lost time before the regional trials.
The expression may refer to work, relationships, study, travel, or personal goals.
30. Call It a Day
Meaning: Stop working on an activity for now, usually because enough has been done.
Example: After checking the final measurements twice, the builders decided to call it a day.
The idiom does not always mean the entire day is over. It means the current task or work period is ending.
How to Use Time Idioms Naturally
Match the Idiom to the Exact Situation
Closely related expressions are not always interchangeable.
Someone who is pressed for time has limited time available. Someone working against the clock is actively trying to finish before a limit. Someone who beats the clock succeeds before that limit expires.
Keep the Standard Wording
Idioms are fixed expressions, so changing a preposition or key word may make them sound unnatural.
Incorrect: at the nick of time
Correct: in the nick of time
Incorrect: from times to times
Correct: from time to time
Consider the Tone
Some time idioms fit formal situations, while others sound more conversational.
- Time is of the essence is formal and urgent.
- Where did the time go? is conversational.
- Once in a blue moon works well in everyday speech and informal writing.
- At the eleventh hour appears in both news writing and conversation.
Use Context to Make the Meaning Clear
A useful example sentence should show why the expression fits.
Compare:
They worked against the clock.
with:
They worked against the clock to restore the power before the hospital’s backup batteries failed.
The second sentence gives the idiom a clear reason and setting.
FAQs About Time Idioms
What are some common idioms about time?
Common time idioms include time flies, against the clock, in the nick of time, once in a blue moon, and kill time. They describe time passing, urgency, frequency, waiting, and the timing of actions.
What idiom means that time passes quickly?
Time flies means that time seems to pass quickly. In the blink of an eye also describes speed, but it usually refers to a particular event or change happening almost instantly.
What idiom means there is very little time left?
Pressed for time means that someone has little time available. Against the clock means working under a time limit, while run out of time means no time remains.
What is the idiom for arriving just before it is too late?
In the nick of time means arriving or completing something just before it becomes too late. At the eleventh hour is similar, but it often suggests that action was delayed until the last possible moment.
The First English Grade Editorial Team creates simple English grammar, vocabulary, and language guides for students, beginners, and everyday learners.
