Time is always moving forward. It never stops or goes backward. People often talk about time in different ways. One fun way is by using idioms. Idioms are special phrases that have a meaning different from the words themselves. They help us describe time passing in a creative and easy-to-understand way.
In this article, you will learn about idioms that people use to talk about time passing. These idioms are common in everyday talk and writing. Knowing them can help you understand stories, songs, and conversations better. You will also see examples of how to use these idioms in sentences, so you can try them yourself.
Idioms about Time Passing
1. Shoot for the stars
Meaning: To aim for a very high goal.
Samples: She shot for the stars and joined the science club. / I’m shooting for the stars by trying out for the basketball team.
To Put it Another Way: I want to reach a big goal. / I’m trying my hardest to succeed.
2. Starry-eyed
Meaning: Having big dreams or being very hopeful.
Samples: He was starry-eyed about becoming an astronaut. / She’s starry-eyed when she talks about her future.
To Put it Another Way: I dream a lot. / I feel very hopeful and excited.
3. Time flies
Meaning: Time goes by very quickly.
Samples: Time flies when I’m playing with my friends. / The school year went fast because time flies.
To Put it Another Way: Time moves fast. / I didn’t notice how quickly time passed.
4. In the blink of an eye
Meaning: Something happens very quickly.
Samples: The game was over in the blink of an eye. / She finished her homework in the blink of an eye.
To Put it Another Way: It happened very fast. / I barely had time to notice.
5. Against the clock
Meaning: Trying to finish something before time runs out.
Samples: We worked against the clock to finish the project. / He ran against the clock to catch the bus.
To Put it Another Way: We were rushing. / We tried to finish on time.
6. Better late than never
Meaning: It’s good to do something late than not at all.
Samples: I finally finished my book report better late than never. / She came to the party late but said better late than never.
To Put it Another Way: Late is okay if you do it. / It’s good to try even if it’s late.
7. Call it a day
Meaning: To stop working on something.
Samples: After cleaning the classroom, the teacher said, “Let’s call it a day.” / We were tired, so we called it a day.
To Put it Another Way: We stopped working. / We ended for the day.
8. Time and again
Meaning: Happening many times.
Samples: Time and again, she practiced her piano song. / We have visited the museum time and again.
To Put it Another Way: Many times. / Over and over again.
9. Around the clock
Meaning: All day and night without stopping.
Samples: The hospital works around the clock. / We studied around the clock before the test.
To Put it Another Way: All the time. / Without stopping.
10. Make up for lost time
Meaning: To do something quickly because you were late or delayed.
Samples: After missing school, he worked hard to make up for lost time. / We ran faster to make up for lost time.
To Put it Another Way: To catch up. / To do extra because you started late.
11. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Samples: We eat pizza once in a blue moon. / She visits her grandparents once in a blue moon.
To Put it Another Way: Not often. / Very rarely.
12. On the dot
Meaning: Exactly on time.
Samples: The bell rings at 3:00 on the dot. / He arrived at school on the dot.
To Put it Another Way: Exactly on time. / Not late or early.
13. In due time
Meaning: At the right or expected time.
Samples: Don’t worry, you’ll get your turn in due time. / The results will come in due time.
To Put it Another Way: When the time is right. / At the proper time.
14. In the nick of time
Meaning: Just in time before something bad happens.
Samples: We finished the test in the nick of time. / He caught the bus in the nick of time.
To Put it Another Way: Just before it was too late. / At the last moment.
15. Around the corner
Meaning: Happening soon.
Samples: The holiday is just around the corner. / Summer vacation is around the corner.
To Put it Another Way: Coming soon. / Almost here.
16. Take your time
Meaning: Do something slowly and carefully.
Samples: Take your time on the test. / She took her time drawing the picture.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t rush. / Go slowly and carefully.
17. Time will tell
Meaning: The result will be known in the future.
Samples: We don’t know who will win, but time will tell. / Time will tell if the plan works.
To Put it Another Way: We will find out later. / The future will show.
18. Beat the clock
Meaning: Finish something before time ends.
Samples: We had to beat the clock to finish the puzzle. / She beat the clock and submitted her essay early.
To Put it Another Way: Finish before time runs out. / Finish quickly.
19. In no time
Meaning: Very quickly.
Samples: He cleaned his room in no time. / The movie started in no time after we arrived.
To Put it Another Way: Very fast. / Almost immediately.
20. Kill time
Meaning: Do something to pass the time while waiting.
Samples: We played games to kill time before the show started. / She read a book to kill time at the doctor’s office.
To Put it Another Way: Pass time. / Do something while waiting.
21. Out of time
Meaning: No time left to do something.
Samples: We ran out of time before finishing the test. / The game ended because we were out of time.
To Put it Another Way: No time left. / Time is finished.
22. A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: Fixing a small problem quickly stops it from becoming bigger.
Samples: I fixed the small tear in my shirt because a stitch in time saves nine. / She cleaned up the spill right away a stitch in time saves nine.
To Put it Another Way: Fix problems early. / Fix small problems before they grow.
23. Time after time
Meaning: Happening many times.
Samples: Time after time, he practiced his soccer skills. / She called her friend time after time.
To Put it Another Way: Over and over. / Many times.
24. The sands of time
Meaning: Time passing slowly or over a long period.
Samples: The sands of time moved as we watched the clock. / The story talked about the sands of time and how things change.
To Put it Another Way: Time passing. / Time going by slowly.
25. In the long run
Meaning: Over a long time in the future.
Samples: In the long run, studying helps you get good jobs. / Exercise is good for you in the long run.
To Put it Another Way: After a long time. / Eventually.
26. A matter of time
Meaning: Something will definitely happen soon.
Samples: It’s only a matter of time before she learns to ride a bike. / It’s a matter of time before the flowers bloom.
To Put it Another Way: It will happen soon. / It’s sure to happen.
27. Take time off
Meaning: To stop work or school for a short break.
Samples: I took time off from school because I was sick. / She took time off to rest after the game.
To Put it Another Way: Have a break. / Stop working for a while.
28. Time is money
Meaning: Time is very valuable.
Samples: Hurry up! Remember, time is money. / We don’t want to waste time because time is money.
To Put it Another Way: Time is important. / Don’t waste time.
29. Behind the times
Meaning: Not knowing or doing what is current or new.
Samples: That phone is old and behind the times. / He’s behind the times because he doesn’t use the internet.
To Put it Another Way: Old-fashioned. / Not up-to-date.
30. Time on your hands
Meaning: Having free time with nothing to do.
Samples: I have time on my hands after school today. / She had time on her hands during the long weekend.
To Put it Another Way: Free time. / Nothing to do right now.
Find the Idioms: Idioms about Time Passing
Last week, our school had a big science fair. I was shooting for the stars with my volcano project because I wanted to win. At first, it felt like time was moving in the blink of an eye, and I was rushing against the clock to finish everything. But I reminded myself to take my time so the project looked great.
On the day of the fair, the judges arrived on the dot. I finished my presentation in the nick of time before my turn ended. The fair seemed to last time and again, with many students showing their work.
Afterwards, I thought about how I needed to make up for lost time because I started late. Sometimes, I like to kill time by reading while I wait for my turn. I was happy I didn’t run out of time during the presentation.
The whole event showed me that even when time flies, it’s important to work hard and enjoy every moment.
Your Task:
Read the story again. Can you find and list the 8 idioms about time passing used in the passage? Underline or write them down.
Answer Key
- Shoot for the stars
- In the blink of an eye
- Against the clock
- Take your time
- On the dot
- In the nick of time
- Time and again
- Make up for lost time
Conclusion
Idioms about time passing help us talk about how time moves in interesting ways. They make conversations and stories more lively and easier to understand. Learning these phrases helps you explain your thoughts better. Whether time flies or you take your time, these idioms show us different ways to think about time. Using them will make your speaking and writing clearer and more fun.
