50 Idioms for Time With Meanings & Sentences
Idioms for Time
1. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before the deadline
In a Sentence: We managed to beat the clock and submitted the project early.
Other Ways to Say: Finish in time, Stay ahead of schedule
2. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely
In a Sentence: We only go to the amusement park once in a blue moon.
Other Ways to Say: Rarely, Hardly ever
3. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just before it is too late
In a Sentence: Tommy arrived at the bus stop in the nick of time and caught the bus.
Other Ways to Say: At the last moment, Just in time
4. Time flies
Meaning: Time passes very quickly
In a Sentence: Time flies when you’re having fun.
Other Ways to Say: Time goes fast, It passed quickly
5. Around the clock
Meaning: All day and night without stopping
In a Sentence: The nurses worked around the clock to help the patients.
Other Ways to Say: 24/7, Non-stop
6. Against the clock
Meaning: Rushing to do something before a deadline
In a Sentence: We were working against the clock to finish the report.
Other Ways to Say: In a hurry, Under pressure
7. Call it a day
Meaning: To stop working for the day
In a Sentence: Let’s call it a day and go home.
Other Ways to Say: Stop for the day, Wrap up
8. Ahead of time
Meaning: Earlier than expected
In a Sentence: We arrived ahead of time for the interview.
Other Ways to Say: Early, Before schedule
9. Behind the times
Meaning: Old-fashioned or outdated
In a Sentence: His fashion sense is really behind the times.
Other Ways to Say: Out of date, Old-school
10. Time will tell
Meaning: The truth will be revealed in the future
In a Sentence: Time will tell if the new policy really works.
Other Ways to Say: Let’s wait and see, The future will show
11. Make time
Meaning: Find time for something important
In a Sentence: You should make time for your family.
Other Ways to Say: Prioritize, Set aside time
12. Kill time
Meaning: Do something while waiting
In a Sentence: I read a book to kill time at the airport.
Other Ways to Say: Pass time, Fill the gap
13. On time
Meaning: Punctually, not late
In a Sentence: The train arrived on time.
Other Ways to Say: Promptly, According to schedule
14. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not at all
In a Sentence: He finally apologized—better late than never.
Other Ways to Say: At least he did it, Not too late
15. Out of time
Meaning: No time left
In a Sentence: We’re out of time to finish this task today.
Other Ways to Say: Time’s up, No more time
16. All in good time
Meaning: Something will happen eventually
In a Sentence: Be patient, it will happen all in good time.
Other Ways to Say: Eventually, Sooner or later
17. Save time
Meaning: Do something quickly or efficiently
In a Sentence: Using shortcuts can save time during editing.
Other Ways to Say: Be efficient, Speed things up
18. Pressed for time
Meaning: In a hurry or under time pressure
In a Sentence: I’m pressed for time, so I’ll call you later.
Other Ways to Say: In a rush, Short on time
19. Time after time
Meaning: Repeatedly or again and again
In a Sentence: He makes the same mistake time after time.
Other Ways to Say: Repeatedly, Over and over
20. Only time will tell
Meaning: We’ll know the results in the future
In a Sentence: Only time will tell if they made the right choice.
Other Ways to Say: Wait and see, Let’s see what happens
21. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly
In a Sentence: The work was done in no time.
Other Ways to Say: Instantly, Very fast
22. Crunch time
Meaning: A critical or intense period of time
In a Sentence: It’s crunch time—we need to finish everything today.
Other Ways to Say: Final push, Deadline pressure
23. Living on borrowed time
Meaning: Living after the time one might have died
In a Sentence: After the accident, he felt like he was living on borrowed time.
Other Ways to Say: Unexpected survival, Extra time
24. The time is ripe
Meaning: It’s the right moment to do something
In a Sentence: The time is ripe to invest in the business.
Other Ways to Say: Now is the moment, Perfect timing
25. Behind schedule
Meaning: Later than planned
In a Sentence: We are behind schedule on this project.
Other Ways to Say: Delayed, Running late
26. At the eleventh hour
Meaning: At the very last moment
In a Sentence: He submitted the form at the eleventh hour.
Other Ways to Say: Just in time, Last minute
27. Big time
Meaning: On a large scale or extremely
In a Sentence: She messed up big time during the presentation.
Other Ways to Say: Majorly, Hugely
28. Bide one’s time
Meaning: Wait patiently for the right moment
In a Sentence: He’s just biding his time until the right opportunity comes.
Other Ways to Say: Wait patiently, Hold back
29. For the time being
Meaning: Temporarily
In a Sentence: We’re using this old computer for the time being.
Other Ways to Say: For now, Temporarily
30. High time
Meaning: It’s the appropriate time to do something
In a Sentence: It’s high time we cleaned this house!
Other Ways to Say: Long overdue, About time
31. In due time
Meaning: At the appropriate time in the future
In a Sentence: You’ll understand it better in due time.
Other Ways to Say: Eventually, When the time is right
32. Just in time
Meaning: Arriving or completing something right before the deadline
In a Sentence: We reached the station just in time.
Other Ways to Say: At the last minute, Barely made it
33. Mark time
Meaning: To do nothing while waiting
In a Sentence: I was just marking time until the meeting began.
Other Ways to Say: Wait idly, Pass time
34. Once upon a time
Meaning: A long time ago
In a Sentence: Once upon a time, people used horses instead of cars.
Other Ways to Say: Long ago, Back in the day
35. On borrowed time
Meaning: Living or existing longer than expected
In a Sentence: The engine is running on borrowed time.
Other Ways to Say: Nearing the end, Unexpectedly lasting
36. Race against time
Meaning: A situation where you must do something quickly
In a Sentence: It was a race against time to save the patient.
Other Ways to Say: Urgent task, Rushing
37. Right on time
Meaning: Exactly at the scheduled time
In a Sentence: She arrived right on time for the interview.
Other Ways to Say: Exactly on schedule, Punctual
38. Stuck in a time warp
Meaning: Not changing with the times
In a Sentence: That shop feels stuck in a time warp.
Other Ways to Say: Outdated, Old-fashioned
39. Take your time
Meaning: Do something without rushing
In a Sentence: Take your time with the painting—no need to hurry.
Other Ways to Say: No rush, Go slow
40. Time and again
Meaning: Frequently or repeatedly
In a Sentence: I’ve told him time and again to lock the door.
Other Ways to Say: Repeatedly, Again and again
41. Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable and should be used wisely
In a Sentence: Don’t waste time—time is money.
Other Ways to Say: Time is precious, Don’t delay
42. Time of your life
Meaning: A very enjoyable experience
In a Sentence: We had the time of our lives on vacation.
Other Ways to Say: Amazing time, Memorable moment
43. Time on your hands
Meaning: Extra or free time
In a Sentence: Now that I’m retired, I have a lot of time on my hands.
Other Ways to Say: Free time, Spare time
44. Time stands still
Meaning: A moment that feels frozen in time
In a Sentence: When she walked in, time stood still.
Other Ways to Say: A still moment, Frozen in time
45. Turn back time
Meaning: Wish to return to the past
In a Sentence: I wish I could turn back time and fix my mistakes.
Other Ways to Say: Go back, Undo the past
46. Waste of time
Meaning: Something not worth the time spent
In a Sentence: That meeting was a complete waste of time.
Other Ways to Say: Useless, Pointless
47. Behind time
Meaning: Late
In a Sentence: He’s always behind time for meetings.
Other Ways to Say: Delayed, Not punctual
48. Borrow time
Meaning: Delay something inevitable
In a Sentence: We’re just borrowing time with these old machines.
Other Ways to Say: Temporary relief, Delayed end
49. In time
Meaning: Early enough to be helpful
In a Sentence: He arrived just in time to help with the cleanup.
Other Ways to Say: Just before, Not too late
50. Take a moment
Meaning: Pause briefly
In a Sentence: Take a moment to relax before starting again.
Other Ways to Say: Pause, Breathe
