Idioms are short phrases that have special meanings. They are not what the words say in plain terms. People use them a lot in everyday talk. Time idioms are fun because time touches every part of life. We all feel time move fast or slow. These idioms help us share feelings about waiting, rushing, or looking back. They make speech lively and natural.
Learning time idioms is useful for better chats. You can talk about plans, past events, or future hopes with ease. They show you know the language well. Time idioms come from old stories and daily life. They help connect with others quickly. Now, get ready to explore many of them.
Idioms for Time to Master Now
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A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: Fix a small problem now to avoid big trouble later.
Sample Sentences: Mend your shirt today. A stitch in time saves nine. / We should clean the roof soon. A stitch in time saves nine.
Other Way to Say: Act early to prevent worse / Fix it before it grows
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Against the clock
Meaning: Working fast to finish before time runs out.
Sample Sentences: The team worked against the clock to meet the deadline. / She cooked against the clock for guests.
Other Way to Say: Racing time / In a hurry to beat deadline
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Ahead of time
Meaning: Earlier than planned or expected.
Sample Sentences: He arrived ahead of time for the show. / Finish your work ahead of time.
Other Way to Say: Early / Before schedule
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At the eleventh hour
Meaning: Very late, just before the end.
Sample Sentences: They agreed at the eleventh hour. / Help came at the eleventh hour.
Other Way to Say: Last minute / Just in time
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Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before time is up.
Sample Sentences: The runner beat the clock to win. / We beat the clock on the project.
Other Way to Say: Win against time / Finish early
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Behind the times
Meaning: Old-fashioned or not modern.
Sample Sentences: His ideas are behind the times. / That phone is behind the times.
Other Way to Say: Outdated / Old style
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Better late than never
Meaning: Late is okay if it happens at all.
Sample Sentences: You called back. Better late than never. / She said yes. Better late than never.
Other Way to Say: Late is fine / Any time is good
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Bide your time
Meaning: Wait for the right moment.
Sample Sentences: He will bide his time before acting. / Bide your time and see.
Other Way to Say: Wait patiently / Hold off
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Buy time
Meaning: Do something to delay.
Sample Sentences: She asked questions to buy time. / Talk more to buy time.
Other Way to Say: Gain delay / Stall a bit
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Call time
Meaning: Decide to stop an activity.
Sample Sentences: Let’s call time on this game. / The boss called time on the meeting.
Other Way to Say: End it / Stop now
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Crack of dawn
Meaning: Very early morning.
Sample Sentences: We left at the crack of dawn. / Rise at the crack of dawn.
Other Way to Say: Early light / Sunrise
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Every now and then
Meaning: Sometimes, not often.
Sample Sentences: I see her every now and then. / Think of it every now and then.
Other Way to Say: Occasionally / From time to time
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For the time being
Meaning: For now, not forever.
Sample Sentences: Stay here for the time being. / Use this for the time being.
Other Way to Say: Temporarily / Just now
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From time to time
Meaning: Now and then.
Sample Sentences: We meet from time to time. / Rain falls from time to time.
Other Way to Say: Sometimes / Occasionally
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Have the time of your life
Meaning: Enjoy greatly.
Sample Sentences: The trip was the time of my life. / Party was the time of our life.
Other Way to Say: Best fun ever / Great joy
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In a jiffy
Meaning: Very soon.
Sample Sentences: I’ll be back in a jiffy. / Fix it in a jiffy.
Other Way to Say: Quick / In a moment
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In due time
Meaning: At the right time later.
Sample Sentences: It will happen in due time. / Answers come in due time.
Other Way to Say: Eventually / Soon enough
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In the nick of time
Meaning: Just before too late.
Sample Sentences: He arrived in the nick of time. / Saved in the nick of time.
Other Way to Say: Just right / Barely on time
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Kill time
Meaning: Pass time with no real aim.
Sample Sentences: Read to kill time on the bus. / Play games to kill time.
Other Way to Say: Waste time / Fill moments
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Long time no see
Meaning: Greeting after long absence.
Sample Sentences: Hi! Long time no see. / Long time no see, friend.
Other Way to Say: Ages since last / Haven’t met long
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Make up for lost time
Meaning: Do extra to catch up.
Sample Sentences: Study hard to make up for lost time. / Run fast to make up lost time.
Other Way to Say: Catch up / Recover delay
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On borrowed time
Meaning: Living longer than expected.
Sample Sentences: He is on borrowed time after the illness. / Plant lives on borrowed time.
Other Way to Say: Extra life / Beyond due
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On time
Meaning: At the right or planned time.
Sample Sentences: The train was on time. / Be on time for class.
Other Way to Say: Punctual / Exactly when due
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Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely.
Sample Sentences: We eat out once in a blue moon. / It rains once in a blue moon.
Other Way to Say: Rarely / Hardly ever
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Once in a lifetime
Meaning: Rare chance, only once.
Sample Sentences: This trip is once in a lifetime. / Meet such people once in a lifetime.
Other Way to Say: Rare event / One time only
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Once upon a time
Meaning: Long ago, for stories.
Sample Sentences: Once upon a time, there was a king. / Once upon a time we played.
Other Way to Say: Long ago / In old days
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Pass the time
Meaning: Do activities while waiting.
Sample Sentences: Chat to pass the time. / Walk to pass the time.
Other Way to Say: While away hours / Fill idle moments
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Pressed for time
Meaning: In a hurry, short on time.
Sample Sentences: I’m pressed for time today. / She is pressed for time now.
Other Way to Say: In rush / Short on clock
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Race against time
Meaning: Hurry to finish fast.
Sample Sentences: Doctors race against time to save him. / We race against time for the bus.
Other Way to Say: Hurry up / Fight clock
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Save time
Meaning: Do something quicker.
Sample Sentences: Use the app to save time. / Cut steps to save time.
Other Way to Say: Speed up / Gain hours
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Take your time
Meaning: No rush, go slow.
Sample Sentences: Take your time to decide. / Take your time eating.
Other Way to Say: No hurry / Relax pace
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Time after time
Meaning: Again and again.
Sample Sentences: He fails time after time. / Wins time after time.
Other Way to Say: Repeatedly / Over and over
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Time and again
Meaning: Many times before.
Sample Sentences: She helps time and again. / Seen it time and again.
Other Way to Say: Often / Regularly
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Time and tide wait for no man
Meaning: Time moves on always.
Sample Sentences: Hurry up. Time and tide wait for no man. / Act now. Time and tide wait for no man.
Other Way to Say: Time stops for none / Hurry always
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Time flies
Meaning: Time passes quick.
Sample Sentences: Time flies at parties. / Time flies when busy.
Other Way to Say: Goes fast / Slips away
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Time heals all wounds
Meaning: Pain fades with time.
Sample Sentences: Be patient. Time heals all wounds. / Sadness goes. Time heals all wounds.
Other Way to Say: Wait it out / Pain passes
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Time is money
Meaning: Time has value like cash.
Sample Sentences: Don’t be late. Time is money. / Work fast. Time is money.
Other Way to Say: Value hours / Don’t waste clock
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Time is up
Meaning: No more time left.
Sample Sentences: Time is up for answers. / Game over. Time is up.
Other Way to Say: End now / Stop clock
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Time out
Meaning: Break or pause.
Sample Sentences: Take a time out. / Call time out in game.
Other Way to Say: Break time / Pause now
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Time’s a-wasting
Meaning: Time is going to waste.
Sample Sentences: Let’s go. Time’s a-wasting. / Hurry. Time’s a-wasting.
Other Way to Say: Don’t delay / Clock ticks
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Turn back the clock
Meaning: Wish for past.
Sample Sentences: I want to turn back the clock. / Can’t turn back the clock.
Other Way to Say: Go back in time / Undo years
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Waste time
Meaning: Spend time with no gain.
Sample Sentences: Stop chatting. Don’t waste time. / Games waste time.
Other Way to Say: Lose hours / Idle away
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Watch the clock
Meaning: Wait for end of work.
Sample Sentences: Kids watch the clock for recess. / He watches the clock all day.
Other Way to Say: Count minutes / Wait for bell
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Window of opportunity
Meaning: Short time for action.
Sample Sentences: Grab the window of opportunity. / Short window of opportunity here.
Other Way to Say: Chance now / Open moment
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In good time
Meaning: Soon enough.
Sample Sentences: You will hear in good time. / Done in good time.
Other Way to Say: Shortly / Before long
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Keep to time
Meaning: Stick to schedule.
Sample Sentences: The speech kept to time. / Train kept to time.
Other Way to Say: On schedule / Punctual
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Like clockwork
Meaning: Very regular.
Sample Sentences: Bus comes like clockwork. / He wakes like clockwork.
Other Way to Say: On time always / Predictable
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No time like the present
Meaning: Do it now.
Sample Sentences: Call her. No time like the present. / Start today. No time like the present.
Other Way to Say: Now is best / Act today
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Of all time
Meaning: Best ever.
Sample Sentences: Best movie of all time. / Greatest player of all time.
Other Way to Say: Ever best / Top forever
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Out of time
Meaning: No time left.
Sample Sentences: We are out of time now. / Game is out of time.
Other Way to Say: Time gone / Clock stopped
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The nick of time
Meaning: Just in time.
Sample Sentences: Caught the bus in the nick of time. / Help in the nick of time.
Other Way to Say: Barely made it / Perfect timing
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Third time lucky
Meaning: Success on third try.
Sample Sentences: Third time lucky, it worked. / Try again. Third time lucky.
Other Way to Say: Third works / Luck on three
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Timely manner
Meaning: At right time.
Sample Sentences: Reply in a timely manner. / Act in timely manner.
Other Way to Say: On cue / When needed
Practice Quiz: Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1: What does “time flies” mean?
A) Time moves slow
B) Time passes quickly
C) Time stops
D) Time goes backward
Question 2: “Better late than never” is said when:
A) Something is early
B) Something happens late but okay
C) Something is on time
D) Something never happens
Question 3: “Against the clock” means:
A) Relaxed pace
B) Working fast to finish
C) Waiting long
D) No hurry
Question 4: “In the nick of time” describes:
A) Too late
B) Just before too late
C) Very early
D) No time at all
Question 5: “Kill time” is:
A) Use time well
B) Pass time idly
C) Save time
D) Plan time
Question 6: “Time and tide wait for no man” means:
A) Time can wait
B) Time always moves on
C) Tide stops
D) Wait for time
Question 7: “Bide your time” is to:
A) Rush ahead
B) Wait for right moment
C) Waste time
D) Ignore time
Question 8: “Once in a blue moon” means:
A) Every day
B) Very rarely
C) Often
D) Always
Question 9: “Make up for lost time” is to:
A) Forget past
B) Catch up after delay
C) Lose more time
D) Plan future
Question 10: “Like clockwork” describes something:
A) Unpredictable
B) Very regular
C) Late often
D) Random
Question 11: “Time is up” signals:
A) More time
B) No time left
C) Start now
D) Wait longer
Question 12: “Window of opportunity” is a:
A) Long chance
B) Short time for action
C) No chance
D) Past chance
Answer Key
1. B) Time passes quickly – It shows how fast moments go by.
2. B) Something happens late but okay – Late action is better than none.
3. B) Working fast to finish – Hurry to beat the deadline.
4. B) Just before too late – Arrive or act at the last second.
5. B) Pass time idly – Do nothing useful while waiting.
6. B) Time always moves on – No one can stop time.
7. B) Wait for right moment – Be patient for best chance.
8. B) Very rarely – Happens almost never.
9. B) Catch up after delay – Do extra to recover.
10. B) Very regular – Happens same way each time.
11. B) No time left – Activity must stop.
12. B) Short time for action – Quick chance to act.
Scoring System
12/12: Expert – You know time idioms perfectly!
10-11: Advanced – Great job, almost master level.
8-9: Good – Solid grasp, practice more.
6-7: Fair – Learning well, keep studying.
0-5: Beginner – Start with the list again.
Conclusion
Time idioms add color to our words. They help us express rush, wait, or joy about moments. Use them in talks to sound natural and clear. Practice makes them part of your speech. Share them with friends for fun chats.
Time shapes our days and stories. These phrases connect us across cultures. Master them to feel confident. Keep using them every day. You will see how they brighten talks.
Life moves with time. Idioms capture its flow. Enjoy learning and speaking with them.