30 Time Idioms in English with Meanings and Examples

Time idioms in English are very common in everyday conversation, stories, emails, films, books and exams. We use them to talk about the past, the present, the future, frequency, deadlines and how quickly something happens.

Some expressions are easy to understand, such as a while ago or ahead of time. Others are more idiomatic, such as in no time, once and for all or for good. If you learn them as fixed phrases, your English will sound much more natural.

In this lesson, you will learn 30 useful time idioms in English with clear meanings and example sentences.

If you want to learn grammar-based time expressions such as since, for, by, until and within, read my lesson on 30 Time Expressions in English.

Quick list of time idioms in English

a while back	some time in the past
a while ago	some time before now
about time	later than expected
ahead of time	earlier than planned
all along	from the beginning
at all times	always
at times	sometimes
every now and then	occasionally
from time to time	occasionally
every so often	occasionally
once in a while	occasionally
from now on	starting now and continuing in the future
have all the time in the world	have a lot of time
in no time	very quickly
it is only a matter of time	something will probably happen eventually
once and for all	finally and permanently
run out of time	have no more time left
for good	permanently
in the old days	in the past
for the time being	temporarily
in the long run	over a long period of time
sooner or later	eventually
at the last minute	just before something happens
at short notice	with very little warning
in due course	at the right time in the future
up to now	until this moment
by the time	before or when something happens
in the meantime	during the time between two events
time after time	repeatedly
make time for something	find time to do something

A while back

Meaning: some time in the past. We often use a while back in informal English when we do not want to give an exact time.

• I met Sarah at a conference a while back.
• The problems started a while back, but nobody took them seriously at first.

A while ago

Meaning: some time before now. A while ago can mean recently or further in the past. The exact meaning depends on the context.

• I sent you the email a while ago. Have you received it?
• She left a while ago, so she should be home by now.

About time

Meaning: used when something should have happened earlier. We use about time when we feel that something is late, delayed or overdue.

• It is about time you tidied your room.
• It is about time the company improved its customer service.

We often use this structure:

It is about time + subject + past simple

• It is about time you went to bed.
• It is about time we made a decision.

Although the verb is in the past simple, the meaning is present or future.

Ahead of time

Meaning: earlier than planned or earlier than necessary.

• I finished the report ahead of time.
• Please arrive ahead of time so that we can start the meeting at 9 o’clock.

All along

Meaning: from the beginning. We use all along when something was true from the start, although people may not have known it.

• I knew all along that he was not telling the truth.
• She had been planning to move abroad all along.

At all times

Meaning: always. This expression is common in formal instructions, rules and notices.

• Visitors must wear their ID cards at all times.
• Please keep your passport with you at all times when travelling.

At times

Meaning: sometimes. At times is a slightly more formal way of saying sometimes.

• The job can be stressful at times.
• Learning English can feel difficult at times, but regular practice makes a big difference.

Every now and then

Meaning: occasionally; sometimes, but not often.

• I still speak to my old classmates every now and then.
• Every now and then, I like to spend a quiet evening at home with a good book.

From time to time

Meaning: occasionally; sometimes, but not regularly.

• I go to the theatre from time to time.
• From time to time, we all need a break from work and responsibilities.

Every so often

Meaning: occasionally; at intervals.

• Every so often, I check my old notebooks and revise useful vocabulary.
• He travels abroad every so often for work.

Once in a while

Meaning: occasionally; not very often. We can also say every once in a while.

• I like to have a piece of cake once in a while.
• We meet for coffee every once in a while.

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What is the difference between “from time to time”, “every now and then”, “every so often” and “once in a while”?

These expressions are very similar. They all mean occasionally.

From time to time sounds slightly more neutral or formal.

• I attend training courses from time to time.

Every now and then sounds natural in conversation.

• Every now and then, I watch an old film.

Every so often suggests that something happens at intervals.

• Every so often, the machine makes a strange noise.

Once in a while often means not very often, but sometimes.

• I buy expensive coffee once in a while.

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From now on

Meaning: starting now and continuing in the future.

• From now on, I am going to be more organised.
• I have wasted enough time. From now on, I am going to study every day.

Have all the time in the world

Meaning: to have a lot of time; not to need to hurry.

• We do not need to rush. We have all the time in the world.
• When you are young, you often feel as if you have all the time in the world.

In no time

Meaning: very quickly.

• Do not worry. You will feel better in no time.
• With regular practice, you will learn these expressions in no time.

It is only a matter of time

Meaning: something is very likely or certain to happen eventually. This expression is often used when we believe that something will happen sooner or later.

• If you keep practising, it is only a matter of time before your English improves.
• With all those dark clouds, it is only a matter of time before it starts raining.

Once and for all

Meaning: finally and permanently. We often use once and for all when we want to end a problem, argument or situation completely.

• We need to solve this problem once and for all.
• Let us settle this argument once and for all.

Run out of time

Meaning: to have no more time left to do something.

• We had to stop writing because we ran out of time.
• I wanted to answer all the questions, but I ran out of time.

This expression is very useful for exams:

• I ran out of time in the writing paper.
• Many students make mistakes because they run out of time.

For good

Meaning: permanently; forever.

• After many years abroad, he returned home for good.
• They closed the shop for good after the business failed.

In the old days

Meaning: in the past; a long time ago. We often use this expression when we compare the past with the present.

• In the old days, people wrote letters instead of sending emails.
• In the old days, children spent more time playing outside.

For the time being

Meaning: temporarily; for now.

• We are staying with my parents for the time being.
• The old system will continue to be used for the time being.

In the long run

Meaning: over a long period of time; eventually.

• Learning vocabulary every day will help you in the long run.
• It may be expensive now, but it will save money in the long run.

Sooner or later

Meaning: eventually; at some point in the future.

• Sooner or later, you will have to make a decision.
• If you keep ignoring the problem, sooner or later it will become worse.

At the last minute

Meaning: just before something happens or just before it is too late.

• He cancelled the meeting at the last minute.
• She always starts studying at the last minute, which is not a good habit.

At short notice

Meaning: with very little warning or preparation time.

• Thank you for coming at such short notice.
• I cannot prepare a full presentation at short notice.

In due course

Meaning: at the right time in the future. This expression is formal and often used in letters, emails and official communication.

• You will receive a reply in due course.
• Further details will be announced in due course.

Up to now

Meaning: until this moment.

• Up to now, we have had very few problems.
• Up to now, she has always worked alone.

By the time

Meaning: before or when a particular time or event happens.

• By the time we arrived, the film had already started.
• By the time she finishes the course, her English will be much better.

In the meantime

Meaning: during the time between two events.

• The doctor will see you in ten minutes. In the meantime, please take a seat.
• I am waiting for my new laptop. In the meantime, I am using my old one.

Time after time

Meaning: again and again; repeatedly.

• He has made the same mistake time after time.
• Time after time, she proved that she could handle difficult situations.

Make time for something

Meaning: to find time to do something, especially when you are busy.

• You should make time for reading in English every day.
• If you want to improve your speaking, you need to make time for regular practice.

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Common mistakes with time idioms in English

1. Do not confuse “for good” and “for a long time”

For good means permanently.

Correct:

• He left the country for good.

Meaning: He left permanently.

Incorrect:

• I waited for good.

Better:

• I waited for a long time.

2. Do not use “about time” for ordinary time

It is about time means something should have happened earlier.

Correct:

• It is about time we left.

Incorrect:

• I will call you about time.

Better:

• I will call you at about five o’clock.

3. Be careful with “in no time”

In no time means very quickly, not “no time available”.

Correct:

• She finished the exercise in no time.

Incorrect:

• I have in no time today.

Better:

• I have no time today.

Do the quiz to perfect your knowledge:

Final thoughts

Time idioms in English are useful because they help you speak more naturally and express ideas more clearly. Instead of always using simple words like sometimes, quickly, before or forever, you can use expressions such as from time to time, in no time, ahead of time and for good.

Try learning five expressions first and use them in your own sentences. Over time, they will become part of your active vocabulary.

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