Time is something we all use every day. We check the clock to know when to wake up, eat, or go to school. Time helps us plan and keep track of what we do. Because it is so important, people have made many special phrases, called idioms, to talk about time in interesting ways.
Idioms about time are fun and useful. They help us describe how we feel about waiting, being late, or doing something quickly. These phrases make speaking and writing more colorful. In this article, we will learn 45 idioms about time, what they mean, and how we can use them. Let’s get started!
Idioms About Time
1. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before time runs out
Example Sentence:
• I beat the clock and finished my homework before dinner.
• The team beat the clock and scored before the buzzer.
Other ways to say: Finish early, meet the deadline
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from sports and games where players try to win before time runs out.
Usage: When someone finishes a task quickly before time ends
2. Time flies
Meaning: Time passes quickly
Example Sentence:
• Time flies when I’m playing with my friends.
• The weekend flew by so fast!
Other ways to say: Time goes fast, quick time
Fun Fact/Origin: People say this when they feel like time moved faster than expected.
Usage: Used when time feels like it went by fast
3. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just in time, not too late
Example Sentence:
• She got to the bus stop in the nick of time.
• We made it to the movie in the nick of time.
Other ways to say: Just made it, barely on time
Fun Fact/Origin: “Nick” once meant a precise moment.
Usage: Used when someone arrives or finishes something just before it’s too late
4. Around the clock
Meaning: All day and night
Example Sentence:
• Nurses work around the clock at the hospital.
• We studied around the clock for the big test.
Other ways to say: Nonstop, all day and night
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from clocks that show time for 24 hours.
Usage: When something happens all day and night
5. Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable like money
Example Sentence:
• He said time is money and didn’t want to waste it.
• My dad always says time is money when he’s working.
Other ways to say: Don’t waste time, time is important
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom was used by Benjamin Franklin.
Usage: When time should be used wisely
6. On the dot
Meaning: Exactly on time
Example Sentence:
• The train left at 4 p.m. on the dot.
• She arrived at school on the dot every day.
Other ways to say: Exactly on time, right on time
Fun Fact/Origin: The “dot” refers to the small mark showing time on a clock.
Usage: When someone is perfectly on time
7. Call it a day
Meaning: Stop working for the day
Example Sentence:
• We finished the project, so let’s call it a day.
• After painting all morning, we called it a day.
Other ways to say: Stop for now, end work
Fun Fact/Origin: Used by workers to show the day’s work is done.
Usage: When stopping an activity or task
8. Behind the times
Meaning: Old-fashioned or not up to date
Example Sentence:
• My grandpa still uses a flip phone—he’s behind the times.
• That computer is really behind the times.
Other ways to say: Outdated, old-school
Fun Fact/Origin: It means not keeping up with changes.
Usage: For people or things not modern
9. Save time
Meaning: Do something quicker
Example Sentence:
• We ordered food to save time.
• Taking the highway saves time.
Other ways to say: Be quick, take a shortcut
Fun Fact/Origin: Means using less time for something
Usage: When trying to do something faster
10. Waste time
Meaning: Use time doing nothing important
Example Sentence:
• Don’t waste time watching too much TV.
• I wasted time and didn’t finish my work.
Other ways to say: Lose time, spend time poorly
Fun Fact/Origin: Time is seen as something valuable not to be thrown away
Usage: When time is not used well
11. Out of time
Meaning: No more time left
Example Sentence:
• We’re out of time—we need to go!
• I was out of time and didn’t finish the test.
Other ways to say: No time left, time’s up
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used with deadlines or games
Usage: When time has run out
12. Make time
Meaning: Find time to do something
Example Sentence:
• I always make time to play with my little brother.
• We should make time for fun.
Other ways to say: Set aside time, find time
Fun Fact/Origin: Means choosing to spend time on something
Usage: When planning to do something special
13. Time will tell
Meaning: We’ll find out in the future
Example Sentence:
• Time will tell if she made the right choice.
• Time will tell if the team wins the next game.
Other ways to say: We’ll see, wait and find out
Fun Fact/Origin: Used when answers come later
Usage: When something is unsure now
14. Kill time
Meaning: Do something while waiting
Example Sentence:
• We played games to kill time at the airport.
• I read a book to kill time before dinner.
Other ways to say: Pass time, fill time
Fun Fact/Origin: Means spending time doing small things while waiting
Usage: When waiting for something else
15. Take your time
Meaning: Don’t rush
Example Sentence:
• Take your time and do your homework carefully.
• You can take your time at the museum.
Other ways to say: Go slow, no hurry
Fun Fact/Origin: Means going at your own pace
Usage: When someone doesn’t need to be fast
16. Time after time
Meaning: Again and again
Example Sentence:
• Time after time, he forgets to do his chores.
• She wins spelling bees time after time.
Other ways to say: Over and over, repeatedly
Fun Fact/Origin: Used to show something happens many times
Usage: When something keeps happening
17. Run out of time
Meaning: Have no time left
Example Sentence:
• I ran out of time and couldn’t finish my art.
• We ran out of time before we could visit the zoo.
Other ways to say: Time’s up, no more time
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used during tests or games
Usage: When a limit of time has ended
18. A matter of time
Meaning: Something will happen soon
Example Sentence:
• It’s just a matter of time before it rains.
• She will win—it’s only a matter of time.
Other ways to say: Will happen soon, just wait
Fun Fact/Origin: Used when you expect something soon
Usage: When something is sure to happen
19. At the last minute
Meaning: Very close to the deadline
Example Sentence:
• He packed his bag at the last minute.
• We finished the project at the last minute.
Other ways to say: Just in time, nearly too late
Fun Fact/Origin: Means doing something with no time to spare
Usage: When something is done right before time ends
20. Time is up
Meaning: The time to do something is over
Example Sentence:
• Time is up—please put your pencils down.
• Time is up for playing outside.
Other ways to say: It’s over, stop now
Fun Fact/Origin: Often said during timed activities
Usage: When the allowed time ends
21. From time to time
Meaning: Sometimes, not often
Example Sentence:
• We visit grandma from time to time.
• From time to time, I like to bake cookies.
Other ways to say: Occasionally, every now and then
Fun Fact/Origin: Means something happens every so often
Usage: When something happens once in a while
22. Bide your time
Meaning: Wait patiently
Example Sentence:
• He bided his time before asking a question.
• I’ll bide my time and wait for the right moment.
Other ways to say: Wait, be patient
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bide” is an old word meaning “stay or wait”
Usage: When waiting for the right chance
23. Race against time
Meaning: Try to finish before time runs out
Example Sentence:
• We had a race against time to catch the bus.
• It was a race against time to fix the project.
Other ways to say: Beat the clock, hurry up
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in emergencies or competitions
Usage: When you need to finish fast
24. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all
Example Sentence:
• He arrived late, but better late than never.
• She turned in the paper—better late than never!
Other ways to say: Late is better than missing
Fun Fact/Origin: An old saying to encourage trying
Usage: When someone is late but still shows up
25. Behind schedule
Meaning: Not on time, running late
Example Sentence:
• The train is behind schedule.
• We’re behind schedule on our group work.
Other ways to say: Running late, not on track
Fun Fact/Origin: Used when something is slower than the plan
Usage: When something is late
26. Time of your life
Meaning: A very fun or exciting time
Example Sentence:
• I had the time of my life at the amusement park.
• They had the time of their lives at the beach party.
Other ways to say: Great time, best moment
Fun Fact/Origin: Means a time you’ll never forget
Usage: When someone has a really fun experience
27. A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: Fixing a small problem early prevents bigger problems
Example Sentence:
• Fixing the leak now is smart—a stitch in time saves nine.
• Do your homework today. A stitch in time saves nine.
Other ways to say: Solve problems early, fix it now
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sewing—fixing one stitch early saves more work later
Usage: When solving problems early is smart
28. Crunch time
Meaning: A short time when you must work fast
Example Sentence:
• It’s crunch time before the test.
• We’re in crunch time—let’s finish the project!
Other ways to say: Busy time, last-minute rush
Fun Fact/Origin: Like the sound of crunching under pressure
Usage: When working hard near a deadline
29. Buy some time
Meaning: Delay something to have more time
Example Sentence:
• I asked a question to buy some time before the quiz.
• He tried to buy some time by telling a joke.
Other ways to say: Stall, delay
Fun Fact/Origin: Means getting more time like buying it
Usage: When trying to avoid something for a little while
30. At the eleventh hour
Meaning: At the last possible moment
Example Sentence:
• She turned in her paper at the eleventh hour.
• We finished our costumes at the eleventh hour.
Other ways to say: Very late, just before time runs out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the Bible, meaning just before the end
Usage: When something happens almost too late
31. A race against the clock
Meaning: A rush to finish something on time
Example Sentence:
• It was a race against the clock to clean the room.
• We were in a race against the clock to finish before lunch.
Other ways to say: Hurry, rush
Fun Fact/Origin: Used often in sports or contests
Usage: When time is running out fast
32. Day in and day out
Meaning: Every single day
Example Sentence:
• He practices piano day in and day out.
• She works hard day in and day out.
Other ways to say: All the time, regularly
Fun Fact/Origin: Means doing the same thing daily
Usage: When something is repeated daily
33. At a moment’s notice
Meaning: Very quickly, with little warning
Example Sentence:
• Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
• She can help at a moment’s notice.
Other ways to say: Right away, very quickly
Fun Fact/Origin: Means being prepared at any time
Usage: When something can happen suddenly
34. Time waits for no one
Meaning: Time keeps going, no matter what
Example Sentence:
• Finish your goals—time waits for no one.
• Time waits for no one, so don’t delay.
Other ways to say: Time moves on, don’t waste time
Fun Fact/Origin: A reminder not to waste time
Usage: When telling someone to act now
35. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly
Example Sentence:
• I finished my homework in no time.
• The ride was over in no time.
Other ways to say: Very fast, quickly done
Fun Fact/Origin: Means something happens almost instantly
Usage: When something happens fast
36. Make up for lost time
Meaning: Do something faster because you started late
Example Sentence:
• We need to make up for lost time on the trip.
• He studied extra to make up for lost time.
Other ways to say: Catch up, hurry to finish
Fun Fact/Origin: Means trying to do more to catch up
Usage: When trying to catch up on missed time
37. Take a time-out
Meaning: Pause to rest or calm down
Example Sentence:
• I took a time-out when I got upset.
• She took a time-out after running around.
Other ways to say: Break, pause
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in sports and behavior lessons
Usage: When taking a short break or rest
38. Time is on your side
Meaning: You have enough time to do something
Example Sentence:
• Don’t worry, time is on your side.
• We can still win—time is on our side.
Other ways to say: You’ve got time, still have time
Fun Fact/Origin: Means you are not in a rush
Usage: When there is plenty of time left
39. Time’s up
Meaning: Time has run out
Example Sentence:
• Time’s up! Pencils down!
• Time’s up for playing.
Other ways to say: Out of time, stop
Fun Fact/Origin: Used often in games and tests
Usage: When the time is over
40. Third time’s a charm
Meaning: You will succeed after trying twice
Example Sentence:
• I missed twice, but the third time’s a charm!
• She finally won—third time’s a charm!
Other ways to say: Keep trying, success comes after a few tries
Fun Fact/Origin: A hopeful phrase used in games and luck
Usage: When someone succeeds after a few tries
41. A hard time
Meaning: A difficult experience
Example Sentence:
• He had a hard time learning math.
• She had a hard time making new friends.
Other ways to say: Trouble, tough time
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hard” means not easy
Usage: When something is difficult
42. Time heals all wounds
Meaning: Pain or sadness gets better with time
Example Sentence:
• She’s sad now, but time heals all wounds.
• I felt better after a while—time heals all wounds.
Other ways to say: You’ll feel better later, healing takes time
Fun Fact/Origin: A comforting saying used when people are sad
Usage: When someone is going through a hard time
43. Against the clock
Meaning: In a hurry before time runs out
Example Sentence:
• We worked against the clock to finish the puzzle.
• It was a race against the clock before bedtime.
Other ways to say: Rush, hurry
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “race against time”
Usage: When time is running out
44. At all times
Meaning: Always
Example Sentence:
• Keep your seatbelt on at all times.
• Be kind at all times.
Other ways to say: Always, every moment
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in safety rules and habits
Usage: When something should always be done
45. Just in time
Meaning: Arrive or finish right before it’s too late
Example Sentence:
• We got to the show just in time.
• I handed in my homework just in time.
Other ways to say: Barely made it, last minute
Fun Fact/Origin: Used when someone finishes something right before time ends
Usage: When something is done at the very last second
Quiz: Idioms About Time
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question about idioms related to time.
Question Key
1. What does “beat the clock” mean?
A) Break the clock
B) Finish something before time runs out
C) Start late
2. If someone says “time flies,” what are they saying?
A) Time goes slowly
B) Time is broken
C) Time passes quickly
3. What does “in the nick of time” mean?
A) A little too late
B) Just before it was too late
C) After everyone left
4. What does “around the clock” mean?
A) Only during the day
B) All day and night
C) On weekends only
5. If you “kill time,” what are you doing?
A) Wasting time doing nothing
B) Making time go faster
C) Doing something fun while waiting
6. What does “call it a day” mean?
A) Start working
B) Go outside
C) Stop working for the day
7. If someone is “behind the times,” what does that mean?
A) They are very fast
B) They are not up to date
C) They are always early
8. What does “time will tell” mean?
A) We will know later
B) The time is broken
C) Look at your watch
9. If you do something “at the last minute,” when did you do it?
A) Early in the day
B) Just before it was due
C) A week ago
10. What does “take your time” mean?
A) Hurry up
B) Be careful and don’t rush
C) Run fast
11. What does “waste time” mean?
A) Use time for fun
B) Use time well
C) Use time on things that don’t matter
12. What does “buy some time” mean?
A) Use money for a clock
B) Get extra time to do something
C) Spend time at the store
13. What does “race against time” mean?
A) Walk slowly
B) Try to finish something before time runs out
C) Run a race at school
14. What does “from time to time” mean?
A) Always
B) Once in a while
C) Never
15. What does “just in time” mean?
A) Late
B) At the perfect time
C) Way too early
Answer Key
- B) Finish something before time runs out
- C) Time passes quickly
- B) Just before it was too late
- B) All day and night
- C) Doing something fun while waiting
- C) Stop working for the day
- B) They are not up to date
- A) We will know later
- B) Just before it was due
- B) Be careful and don’t rush
- C) Use time on things that don’t matter
- B) Get extra time to do something
- B) Try to finish something before time runs out
- B) Once in a while
- B) At the perfect time
Wrapping Up
Idioms about time help us talk about our daily lives in fun and clear ways. They show how people feel about being early, late, or right on time. Learning these idioms helps you understand others better and makes your speaking more interesting.
Now that you know 45 time idioms, try using them when you talk or write. You’ll notice how often people use them without thinking. Keep practicing, and soon they’ll become easy for you too.
