Idioms About Time is a fascinating and ever-present concept, deeply woven into our language through idioms. These 28 idioms for time help express how we perceive, value, and manage the moments that shape our lives.
Understanding these idioms not only enriches your vocabulary but also offers vivid ways to communicate about past, present, and future events. Let’s explore them with meanings, examples, and alternative expressions.
1. Beat the Clock
Meaning: To finish something before a deadline or before time runs out.
In a Sentence: She managed to beat the clock and submit her assignment just before midnight.
Other Ways to Say: Race against time, under the wire, just in time
2. Against the Clock
Meaning: Doing something with great urgency because time is limited.
In a Sentence: The team worked against the clock to complete the project before the presentation.
Other Ways to Say: Under pressure, racing time, in a hurry
3. Around the Clock
Meaning: Continuously, without stopping.
In a Sentence: The hospital staff worked around the clock to care for the patients.
Other Ways to Say: 24/7, nonstop, all day and night
4. Call it a Day
Meaning: To stop working on something, usually because enough has been done or it’s time to rest.
In a Sentence: After ten hours of fixing the car, they decided to call it a day.
Other Ways to Say: Wrap it up, quit for now, knock off
5. Day and Night
Meaning: All the time; continuously.
In a Sentence: She studied day and night to prepare for the final exams.
Other Ways to Say: Around the clock, nonstop, 24/7
See Also : 33 Idioms for Motivation
6. In the Nick of Time
Meaning: Just at the last possible moment before it’s too late.
In a Sentence: He caught the train in the nick of time, just as the doors were closing.
Other Ways to Say: Just in time, at the last second, at the eleventh hour
7. Kill Time
Meaning: To do something to make time pass more quickly while waiting.
In a Sentence: We played cards to kill time before our flight.
Other Ways to Say: Pass time, waste time, bide time
8. Make Up for Lost Time
Meaning: To do something quickly to compensate for time that was wasted or missed.
In a Sentence: After being late, she worked extra hard to make up for lost time.
Other Ways to Say: Catch up, compensate, recover lost time
9. On the Dot
Meaning: Exactly at the scheduled time.
In a Sentence: The meeting started at 3 PM on the dot.
Other Ways to Say: Precisely, right on time, at exactly
10. Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Very rarely or almost never.
In a Sentence: He visits his hometown once in a blue moon.
Other Ways to Say: Hardly ever, seldom, rarely
11. Around the Bend (Time Context)
Meaning: Referring to the near future or something coming up soon.
In a Sentence: The deadline is just around the bend, so we need to hurry.
Other Ways to Say: Just ahead, coming up, on the horizon
12. Time Flies
Meaning: Time passes very quickly.
In a Sentence: It’s hard to believe it’s already June; time flies!
Other Ways to Say: Time passes quickly, time zooms by, moments slip away
13. Time is of the Essence
Meaning: Time is very important and delay will cause problems.
In a Sentence: In emergency situations, time is of the essence.
Other Ways to Say: Time matters, no time to lose, urgency is key
14. Against Time
Meaning: In a hurry to complete something before a deadline.
In a Sentence: She worked against time to finish the report.
Other Ways to Say: Under pressure, in a rush, racing against the clock
15. Take Your Time
Meaning: Don’t rush; do something at your own pace.
In a Sentence: Take your time with the exam; accuracy is more important than speed.
Other Ways to Say: No rush, at a leisurely pace, when you’re ready
16. In No Time
Meaning: Very quickly or immediately.
In a Sentence: I’ll be back in no time.
Other Ways to Say: Quickly, in a flash, right away
17. Behind the Times
Meaning: Old-fashioned or not keeping up with current trends.
In a Sentence: His ideas are behind the times in this fast-changing industry.
Other Ways to Say: Outdated, old school, behind the curve
18. Time and Again
Meaning: Repeatedly over a period of time.
In a Sentence: She reminded me time and again to check my work.
Other Ways to Say: Over and over, repeatedly, frequently
19. Time Will Tell
Meaning: The outcome or truth will only be known in the future.
In a Sentence: Whether the plan works or not, time will tell.
Other Ways to Say: Only time knows, we’ll see, future will reveal
20. Against the Grain (Time Context)
Meaning: Doing something contrary to the usual timing or schedule.
In a Sentence: Starting the project so early went against the grain of company policy.
Other Ways to Say: Off schedule, out of sync, against the flow
21. Time Out
Meaning: A short break from an activity.
In a Sentence: The players took a time out to rest and regroup.
Other Ways to Say: Break, pause, rest period
22. In the Long Run
Meaning: Over an extended period of time.
In a Sentence: Eating healthy is beneficial in the long run.
Other Ways to Say: Eventually, over time, ultimately
23. Around the Clock
Meaning: Throughout the entire day and night without stopping.
In a Sentence: The emergency services worked around the clock after the storm.
Other Ways to Say: 24/7, nonstop, continuously
24. In a Jiffy
Meaning: Very quickly, almost immediately.
In a Sentence: I’ll be there in a jiffy!
Other Ways to Say: In a flash, in an instant, right away
25. Behind Schedule
Meaning: Later than planned or expected.
In a Sentence: The construction is behind schedule due to bad weather.
Other Ways to Say: Running late, delayed, off track
26. Time on One’s Hands
Meaning: Having free time with nothing to do.
In a Sentence: After retirement, he had a lot of time on his hands.
Other Ways to Say: Free time, leisure time, downtime
27. Buy Time
Meaning: To delay an event or decision to gain more time.
In a Sentence: The negotiator tried to buy time to think over the offer.
Other Ways to Say: Stall, delay, put off
28. Time After Time
Meaning: Repeatedly or on many occasions.
In a Sentence: Time after time, she proved her dedication to the cause.
Other Ways to Say: Over and over, again and again, repeatedly
MCQs: Idioms for Time Quiz
1. What does the idiom “Beat the Clock” mean?
A) To waste time waiting
B) To finish something before a deadline
C) To start something late
D) To work without breaks
Answer: B) To finish something before a deadline
2. Which idiom means doing something continuously without stopping?
A) Call it a Day
B) Kill Time
C) Around the Clock
D) In the Nick of Time
Answer: C) Around the Clock
3. If someone “calls it a day,” what are they doing?
A) Starting a new task
B) Taking a short break
C) Stopping work for the day
D) Working faster
Answer: C) Stopping work for the day
4. What is the meaning of “In the Nick of Time”?
A) Just before it’s too late
B) Very slowly
C) After the deadline
D) Without any time left
Answer: A) Just before it’s too late
5. Which idiom means to do something to pass time while waiting?
A) Kill Time
B) Time Flies
C) Take Your Time
D) Time Out
Answer: A) Kill Time
6. “Once in a Blue Moon” refers to something that happens:
A) Very often
B) Rarely
C) Immediately
D) Continuously
Answer: B) Rarely
7. What does “Time is of the Essence” imply?
A) Time is unlimited
B) Time is very important
C) Time can be wasted
D) Time should be ignored
Answer: B) Time is very important
8. Which idiom suggests working with great urgency due to limited time?
A) Take Your Time
B) Against the Clock
C) Behind Schedule
D) Time After Time
Answer: B) Against the Clock
9. What does “Behind the Times” mean?
A) Early in schedule
B) Old-fashioned or outdated
C) Fast-paced
D) On schedule
Answer: B) Old-fashioned or outdated
10. If someone has “Time on One’s Hands,” what does that mean?
A) They are very busy
B) They have free time with nothing to do
C) They are late
D) They are rushing
Answer: B) They have free time with nothing to do
Conclusion
Time idioms add vividness and depth to everyday conversations, helping us express urgency, rarity, delays, and continuous actions. By understanding these idioms, you can better appreciate how people relate to time and communicate about it creatively. Use these expressions to enrich your language and make your communication more engaging and clear.
Read More About Idioms At spotwave