20 Idioms about Time

20 Idioms about Time in English (with Meanings & Examples)

20 Idioms about Time

Time is a funny thing.

Some days it flies by. Other days it refuses to move at all. Sometimes we’re racing against it, sometimes we’re wasting it, and sometimes we suddenly realise we should have acted… well… earlier.

It’s no surprise that English is full of idioms about time. And if you want your English to sound natural, confident, and a little more native-like — especially in speaking and writing for exams like B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) — these expressions are absolute gold.

In this lesson, you will learn 20 of the most useful idioms about time, with clear meanings and natural example sentences you can actually use in real life.

Let’s not waste any time.

Idioms about speed, deadlines & hurry

Against the clock

Meaning: working as fast as possible to finish before a deadline.

• The doctors were working against the clock to save the injured passengers.
• We’re working against the clock to finish the project before Friday.

Beat the clock

Meaning: manage to finish something just in time or earlier than expected.

• He stayed up all night and finally beat the clock.
• The runner beat the clock and set a new record.

In the nick of time

Meaning: at the very last possible moment.

• We arrived at the station in the nick of time.
• The firefighters arrived in the nick of time and saved the house.

Race against time

Meaning: a situation where you must act very quickly to succeed.

• It’s a race against time to find a donor.
• The team is in a race against time to finish the bridge.

In the blink of an eye

Meaning: very quickly, in a very short time.

• In the blink of an eye, the child disappeared into the crowd.
• The years seem to pass in the blink of an eye.

Idioms about patience & long-term results

All in good time

Meaning: at the right time; be patient.

• You’ll understand everything all in good time.
• Don’t worry — it will happen all in good time.

In the long run

Meaning: over a long period of time; eventually.

• This decision will benefit us in the long run.
• Hard work always pays off in the long run.

Take your time

Meaning: don’t hurry.

• Take your time — there’s no rush.
• Take your time and read the instructions carefully.

Time will tell

Meaning: we will see in the future what the result will be.

• Only time will tell if we made the right choice.
• Time will tell whether this plan actually works.

Once in a blue moon

Meaning: very rarely.

• I go to the cinema once in a blue moon these days.
• He only calls me once in a blue moon.

Idioms about the right moment & opportunity

(It’s) about time

Meaning: something should have happened already.

• It’s about time you cleaned your room.
• Don’t you think it’s about time we left?

On the spur of the moment

Meaning: suddenly, without planning.

• On the spur of the moment, she booked a ticket to Rome.
• He decided to quit his job on the spur of the moment.

Seize the day

Meaning: enjoy life now; don’t wait for the future.

• Seize the day and do what makes you happy.
• His motto is: seize the day.

A stitch in time saves nine

Meaning: fix a problem early before it becomes bigger.

• Fix the leak now — a stitch in time saves nine.
• She always believes that a stitch in time saves nine.

Idioms about life, time & attitudes

Time is money

Meaning: time is valuable and should not be wasted.

• Stop chatting and get back to work — time is money.
• In business, everyone knows that time is money.

Time waits for no one

Meaning: time passes and does not stop for anyone.

• Don’t postpone your dreams — time waits for no one.
• He realised too late that time waits for no one.

Time is on your side

Meaning: you have plenty of time; there’s no need to hurry.

• We don’t have to decide yet — time is on our side.
• Time is on your side.

At the end of the day

Meaning: when everything is considered; in the end.

• At the end of the day, family matters more than work.
• At the end of the day, it was his decision.

Behind the times

Meaning: old-fashioned; outdated.

• Their system is really behind the times.
• He’s a bit behind the times when it comes to technology.

Big time

Meaning: very much; a lot (informal).

• They messed up big time.
• I’m in trouble big time.

Using 1–2 natural idioms in a speaking or writing task can make your English sound more fluent, show strong vocabulary range and impress the examiner — if used naturally and not too often.

Learn 30 time expressions here

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