TIME IDIOMS
In the blink of an eye
If something happens in the blink of an eye, it happens nearly
instantaneously, with hardly enough time to notice it.
"The pickpocket disappeared in the blink of an eye."
Cut it/things fine
If you cut it/things fine, you leave barely enough time to do something.
"You're counting just an hour between the airport and the train station. That's cutting things a bit fine isn't it?"
A day late and a dollar short
If something is a day late and a dollar short, it comes too late and
is not good enough.
"They offered me an internship when I'd already found a job - a day late and a dollar short!"
At the drop of a hat
If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately and
without hesitation
"I've got great friends. They're ready to help out at the drop of a hat."
At the eleventh hour
If something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens when it is almost too late, or at the last possible moment.
"Our team won after they scored a goal at the eleventh hour."
Five o'clock shadow
This expression refers to a patch of stubble on the face of a man
who hasn't shaved for at least a day.
"He looked tired and had a five o'clock shadow."
In the interim
Something that happens in the interim takes place during a
period of time between two events.
"I won't have the apartment until next month. In the interim I'm
staying at a local hotel."
Just around the corner
If something is just around the corner, it will happen very soon.
"With spring just around the corner, the new collection should begin
to sell."
Never in a million years
This expression means "absolutely never"
"I will never in a million years understand why Anne married Bob."
Living on borrowed time
This expression refers to a period of time after an illness or accident
which could have caused death.
" After heart surgery, some patients say they're living on borrowed time."
Make up for lost time
If you make up for lost time, you increase your efforts or work harder
to complete something or meet a deadline.
"Progress has stopped because of bad weather, but we are determined
to make up for lost time."
Nick of time
If something happens in the nick of time, it happens at the last minute, when it is nearly too late.
"The child was standing in front of the open window. His mother arrived in the nick of time."
Once in a blue moon
Something that happens once in a blue moon is something
that happens rarely or hardly ever.
"Bill visits his grandmother once in a blue moon"
Play for time
If you play for time, you try to delay or prevent something from happening in order to gain an advantage.
"He decided to play for time in the hope that the price would decrease."
Pressed for time
If you're pressed for time, you have hardly enough time to do something so you must hurry.
"Sorry. I can't talk to you now - I'm a bit pressed for time."
A race against time
If someone is in a race against time, they have to work very quickly
in order to do or finish something before a certain time.
Sign of the times
This expression refers to something that shows the nature of today's
society.
"The rising level of violence is a sign of the times."
Stand the test of time
If something stands the test of time, people continue to find it valuable or useful after many years.
"The teaching method has stood the test of time. It is still used in
schools today."
Time on your hands.
If you have time on your hands, you have a lot of free time, usually more than you need or want.
"Since he retired, Bill has too much time on his hands. He should take up a hobby!"
Time of your life
If you have the time of your life, you enjoy yourself very much.
"The kids had the time of their lives at Disneyland."
Time is ripe
If the time is ripe for something, it is the right moment to do it.
"He sold his business when the time was ripe."
Time on your side
If you have time on your side, you can afford to wait before doing
or achieving something.
"He didn't succeed this time, but he's young enough to try again.
He's got time on his side. "
In one's own sweet time
If you do something in your own sweet time, you take as long as
you please to do it, in spite of the orders or wishes of others.
"OK, I'll do it - but in my own sweet time!"
