Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Get English fluency training here: youtube.com/channel/UC32mYgIHS-e3C3Eyd2tRw6g/join By the end of this lesson, you'll master 11 essential idioms about time that will help you communicate effectively about deadlines, schedules, and time management. These idioms are commonly used in everyday conversations, so incorporating them into your English will make you sound more natural and confident. Stick around until the end to practice these idioms and boost your fluency!

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Idioms About Time
⏰ A Stitch in Time Saves Nine:
This means taking care of a problem now will prevent it from becoming a bigger issue later.

"You should fix that leak in the roof—a stitch in time saves nine."
"Addressing the issue early is important because a stitch in time saves nine."
⏰ Beat the Clock:
If you beat the clock, you finish something just before the deadline or time runs out.

"We managed to beat the clock and submit the report before the deadline."
"They worked hard to beat the clock and finish the race before it ended."
⏰ Time Flies:
This idiom means that time seems to pass very quickly, especially when you're having fun or busy.

"Time flies when you're having a good time with friends."
"It's hard to believe how quickly this year has gone by—time really flies."
⏰ In the Nick of Time:
Something that happens in the nick of time happens just before it's too late.

"We arrived at the airport in the nick of time and caught our flight."
"The firefighters arrived in the nick of time to save the building."
⏰ Time is Money:
This emphasizes that time is valuable and shouldn't be wasted, often used in work or business contexts.

"Let's not waste time on unnecessary details—time is money."
⏰ Kill Time:
To kill time means doing something to pass the time while waiting for something else.

"I read a book to kill time while waiting for the doctor."
"They played a game to kill time before the concert started."
⏰ The 11th Hour:
This idiom means something happens at the last possible moment before a deadline.

"They made a decision at the 11th hour to avoid a crisis."
"He submitted his application at the 11th hour, just before the deadline."
⏰ Around the Clock:
Working around the clock means working all day and night without stopping.

"The hospital staff worked around the clock to care for the patients."
⏰ Better Late Than Never:
This idiom means it's better to do something late than not do it at all.

"He finally apologized, and I thought better late than never."
"She completed the assignment just before the deadline—better late than never."
⏰ Out of Time:
If someone says they're out of time, it means they no longer have time to do something.

"We ran out of time before we could finish the project."
"She was out of time and had to submit the test without answering all the questions."
⏰ Ahead of Time:
Doing something ahead of time means completing it earlier than necessary or before the scheduled time.

"He finished his work ahead of time and was able to relax."