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English idioms

Idioms about time

Idioms about being early or late, doing things quickly, waiting and how often something happens.

Idioms

  1. 1once in a blue moonVery rarely.I only eat fast food once in a blue moon.
  2. 2in the nick of timeJust before it is too late.We got to the gate in the nick of time – they were about to close it.
  3. 3at the eleventh hourAt the last possible moment.The deal was signed at the eleventh hour, just before the deadline.
  4. 4around the clockAll day and all night, without stopping.Doctors worked around the clock after the accident.
  5. 5like clockworkSmoothly and exactly as planned, or very regularly.The whole event went like clockwork.
  6. 6better late than neverIt is better to do something late than not to do it at all.I finally started learning to swim at forty – better late than never!
  7. 7time fliesTime seems to pass very quickly.I can't believe it's been a year since we graduated – time flies!
  8. 8at the drop of a hatImmediately, without needing time to think or prepare.She'd travel anywhere at the drop of a hat.
  9. 9time is moneyTime is valuable, so you should not waste it.Let's keep this meeting short – time is money.
  10. 10so far so goodEverything has gone well up to now."How's the new job?" "So far so good."
  11. 11the early bird catches the wormPeople who act early or arrive first have the best chance of success.The sale starts at nine, but I'm going at eight – the early bird catches the worm.
  12. 12in the long runOver a long period of time, or in the end.Buying good shoes saves money in the long run.
  13. 13for the time beingFor now, but probably not permanently.I'm staying with my parents for the time being.
  14. 14kill timeTo do something unimportant while you are waiting for something else.I killed time at the airport by reading a magazine.
  15. 15behind the timesOld-fashioned, or not aware of modern ideas and methods.The school's website is a bit behind the times.
  16. 16in the blink of an eyeExtremely quickly.In the blink of an eye, the tickets were sold out.
  17. 17make up for lost timeTo do something a lot or quickly because you could not do it earlier.After months in hospital, she's making up for lost time with her friends.
  18. 18a race against timeA situation where you must do something very quickly before a deadline.Finishing the stadium before the opening game was a race against time.
  19. 19on the dotAt exactly the time mentioned.The train left at 8.15 on the dot.