13 Time Idioms in English: Meanings & Examples
English Idioms About Time
Time is an important part of everyday English. We talk about time when we describe how quickly something happens, how long we have to wait, whether we arrive early or late, and how we feel about the past or future. For this reason, English has many useful time idioms and expressions that you will hear in everyday conversations, films, books and informal writing.
Learning idioms about time can make your English sound more natural and expressive. Instead of always using simple phrases such as ‘very quickly’, ‘wait patiently’ or ‘a long time’, you can use expressions such as in no time, bide your time and time flies.
In this guide, you will learn 13 common time idioms in English, including their meanings, example sentences and useful notes on how they are used. These expressions are particularly helpful for English learners who want to build vocabulary and communicate more naturally.
13 Common Time Idioms in English: Meanings and Examples
Here are 13 useful English idioms about time that you can add to your vocabulary.
1. Have a Whale of a Time
Meaning
Have a whale of a time means to enjoy yourself a lot or have a very enjoyable experience.
It is an informal expression often used when talking about holidays, parties, trips, celebrations or other enjoyable experiences.
Example Sentences
We had a whale of a time on our holiday in Scotland.
The children had a whale of a time at the amusement park.
I hope you have a whale of a time at the party tonight.
Quick Tip
Use this expression when you want to emphasise that someone enjoyed an experience very much.
2. Do Time
Meaning
Do time is an informal expression meaning to spend time in prison as part of a sentence.
It is commonly used in informal speech and writing, particularly when discussing crime, prison sentences or someone's criminal past.
Example Sentences
He did time for fraud several years ago.
The man did five years in prison before being released.
He served his sentence after being convicted of the crime.
Quick Tip
Do time is informal. In formal writing, serve a prison sentence or serve time in prison is usually more appropriate.
3. Take Time Out
Meaning
Take time out means to take a break from an activity, job or usual routine in order to rest or do something different.
The expression is often used when someone needs to step away from work, study or a busy lifestyle for a while.
Example Sentences
You look exhausted. Why don't you take some time out?
She took time out from her career to raise her children.
It is important to take time out for yourself from time to time.
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4. In No Time
Meaning
In no time means very quickly or after only a short period of time.
It is often used to reassure someone that something will happen soon or that a task will not take long.
Example Sentences
Take a taxi and you will be there in no time.
Don't worry. I will finish the work in no time.
The children finished their dinner in no time.
Quick Tip
In no time is similar to saying very quickly or very soon, depending on the context.
5. Kill Time
Meaning
Kill time means to spend time doing something while waiting for something else to happen.
The activity is usually not particularly important. You simply do it because you have time to spare.
Example Sentences
We played cards to kill time while waiting for the train.
She killed time by reading a book at the airport.
I watched a few videos on my phone to kill time before the meeting.
Quick Tip
You can also use pass the time in a similar way: ‘I read a book to pass the time.’
6. A Devil of a Time
Meaning
A devil of a time means a very difficult, unpleasant or troublesome experience.
It is often used to emphasise that someone experienced considerable difficulty while doing something.
Example Sentences
We had a devil of a time trying to find the hotel.
She had a devil of a time finding a suitable job.
I had a devil of a time assembling the furniture without instructions.
Quick Tip
This is an informal expression and can add emphasis to a description of a particularly difficult experience.
7. In Good Time
Meaning
In good time means early enough to allow plenty of time for something, or before a particular deadline or event.
It often suggests that there is enough time to avoid rushing or being late.
Example Sentences
We arrived at the airport in good time for our flight.
If you leave now, you should arrive in good time for the train.
Please submit your application in good time before the deadline.
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8. Time Will Tell
Meaning
Time will tell means that the truth or result of a situation will become clear only after some time has passed.
It is useful when you do not yet know what the outcome of a situation will be.
Example Sentences
Time will tell whether they made the right decision.
The new plan looks promising, but time will tell whether it works.
Will their relationship last? Time will tell.
Quick Tip
This expression is often used at the end of a sentence to show uncertainty about the future.
9. Time Heals All Wounds
Meaning
Time heals all wounds is a proverb meaning that emotional pain, sadness or disappointment often becomes less painful as time passes.
It is commonly used to comfort someone who is experiencing heartbreak, loss, disappointment or another difficult emotional experience.
Example Sentences
She was heartbroken after the relationship ended, but her friends reminded her that time heals all wounds.
Losing the business was painful, but with time, things gradually became easier.
He cannot imagine feeling better now, but time heals all wounds.
Quick Tip
This expression is generally used as a comforting idea rather than a literal statement.
10. Time Flies
Meaning
Time flies means that time passes very quickly.
We often use this expression when we are surprised by how quickly a period of time has passed, especially when we are enjoying ourselves or looking back at the past.
Example Sentences
How time flies! I cannot believe it is already December.
Time flies when you are having fun.
I cannot believe the school year is nearly over. Time really flies.
Quick Tip
A very common expression is ‘Time flies when you are having fun.’ It means that enjoyable activities seem to pass very quickly.
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11. Bide Your Time
Meaning
Bide your time means to wait patiently for the right opportunity or moment to do something.
It suggests that someone is deliberately waiting rather than acting immediately because they believe a better opportunity will come later.
Example Sentences
She decided to bide her time until a better job became available.
The team bided their time and waited for the right moment to respond.
He is biding his time until he finds the right opportunity.
Quick Tip
The expression is normally followed by a phrase explaining what opportunity or moment someone is waiting for.
12. In the Nick of Time
Meaning
In the nick of time means just before the last possible moment or just before it is too late.
The expression often suggests a sense of urgency, danger or relief because something happened at exactly the right moment.
Example Sentences
We arrived at the station in the nick of time and caught the train.
The firefighters rescued the family in the nick of time.
She submitted her application in the nick of time.
Quick Tip
Compare in good time with in the nick of time: arriving in good time means arriving early enough, while arriving in the nick of time means arriving just before it is too late.
13. Make Time
Meaning
Make time means to deliberately find time for someone or something, even when you are busy.
The expression suggests that you give something priority by arranging your schedule to include it.
Example Sentences
Even though she is busy, she always makes time for her family.
You should make time to practise your English every day.
He made time for me despite having a very busy schedule.
Quick Tip
A common structure is make time for + noun or make time to + verb: ‘Make time for your friends.’ / ‘Make time to read.’
Time Idioms: Quick Summary
| Time Idiom | Meaning |
| Have a whale of a time | To enjoy yourself a lot |
| Do time | To spend time in prison |
| Take time out | To take a break from an activity or routine |
| In no time | Very quickly or very soon |
| Kill time | To spend time while waiting |
| A devil of a time | A very difficult or troublesome experience |
| In good time | Early enough, with time to spare |
| Time will tell | The result will become clear later |
| Time heals all wounds | Emotional pain often becomes less painful with time |
| Time flies | Time passes quickly |
| Bide your time | To wait patiently for the right opportunity |
| In the nick of time | Just before it is too late |
| Make time | To deliberately find time for something or someone |
How to Use Time Idioms Naturally
Knowing the meaning of an idiom is only the first step. To use time idioms in English naturally, pay attention to the situation in which the expression is normally used.
- Use in no time when you want to say that something will happen very quickly.
- Use kill time when you are doing something while waiting.
- Use in good time when there is enough time before an event or deadline.
- Use in the nick of time when something happens just before it is too late.
- Use time flies when you want to express surprise that time has passed quickly.
- Use bide your time when someone is patiently waiting for the right opportunity.
- Use make time when someone deliberately gives priority to a person or activity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Time Idioms
What are time idioms in English?
Time idioms in English are fixed or commonly used expressions that refer to time, the passing of time, waiting, speed, deadlines or opportunities. Examples include time flies, in no time and in the nick of time.
What is the most common idiom for time passing quickly?
Time flies is a very common expression used to say that time passes quickly. For example: ‘Time flies when you are having fun.’
What is the difference between ‘in good time’ and ‘in the nick of time’?
In good time means early enough to have time to spare, whereas in the nick of time means just before the last possible moment or just before it is too late.
How can learning time idioms improve my English?
Learning common idioms helps you understand natural English more easily and gives you more expressive ways to communicate. It can also help you understand conversations, films, books and other everyday English more confidently.
Why Learn Idioms About Time?
Time is a subject that appears constantly in everyday conversations. We talk about how quickly something happens, how long we have been waiting, whether we are early or late, and whether we have enough time to complete something.
That is why learning idioms related to time can be particularly useful for English learners. Expressions such as time flies, kill time, make time and bide your time allow you to communicate ideas in a more natural and expressive way.
The best way to remember these expressions is to learn them in context. Try choosing two or three time idioms from this list and use them in your own sentences. With regular practice, they will become easier to recognise and use naturally.
Final Thoughts
From having a whale of a time to biding your time, these 13 expressions show the many different ways English speakers talk about time. Some describe enjoyment, some describe waiting or difficulty, while others express how quickly time passes or how important timing can be.
Start by learning a few expressions at a time and practise using them in your own conversations and writing. The more you encounter and use these time idioms in English, the more naturally they will become part of your vocabulary.
Keep learning, keep practising, and keep improving your English one expression at a time.
