Time is something everyone talks about every single day. We talk about being early, late, busy, or waiting—but did you know English has many fun phrases to talk about time without using numbers or clocks? These special expressions are called time idioms, and they make language more exciting and meaningful.
Time idioms help us explain how fast something happens, how long it takes, or how important a moment is. Instead of saying something plainly, people use time idioms to sound more natural and expressive. Kids hear these idioms at school, in stories, cartoons, movies, and daily conversations with family and friends.
For kids, time idioms are very helpful because they make English easier to understand. When a teacher or friend uses a time idiom, knowing its meaning helps kids follow conversations without confusion. These phrases also make speaking and writing more fun and creative.
Learning idioms about time is like learning the secret language of everyday English. They help kids talk about their day, homework, games, and plans in a smarter and more confident way. Once kids understand them, they start noticing time idioms everywhere!
🔢 Number & Clock Time Idioms
These idioms use numbers, clocks, and specific moments in time.
⏱️ In the Nick of Time
Meaning: Just before it’s too late.
We arrived in the nick of time before the bell rang.
The hero saved the day in the nick of time.
🕚 At the Eleventh Hour
Meaning: At the very last moment.
He finished his homework at the eleventh hour.
The rain stopped at the eleventh hour before the game.
🧮 Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Very rarely.
I eat candy once in a blue moon.
We go to the zoo once in a blue moon.
⏲️ Right on Time
Meaning: Exactly when expected.
The bus arrived right on time.
Her answer came right on time in class.
🕰️ Around the Clock
Meaning: All day and night.
Doctors work around the clock.
The builders worked around the clock to fix the road.
⏳ Ahead of Time
Meaning: Earlier than planned.
She finished her project ahead of time.
Pack your bag ahead of time for school.
⏰ Behind the Times
Meaning: Old-fashioned.
That phone looks behind the times.
He laughs at jokes that are behind the times.
🕒 All in Good Time
Meaning: It will happen later.
You’ll learn to ride— all in good time.
All in good time, dinner will be ready.
⌚ Time Is Up
Meaning: No time left.
Time is up for the quiz.
When the buzzer rang, time was up.
🕛 Half the Time
Meaning: Often, but not always.
Half the time I forget my socks.
Half the time the cat sleeps.
🐾 Animal & Nature Time Idioms
These idioms use animals or nature to talk about time.
🦅 As the Crow Flies
Meaning: The shortest distance.
The park is close as the crow flies.
It’s faster as the crow flies.
🐢 At a Snail’s Pace
Meaning: Very slowly.
The line moved at a snail’s pace.
My brother walks at a snail’s pace.
🐔 At the Crack of Dawn
Meaning: Very early morning.
We woke up at the crack of dawn.
Birds sing at the crack of dawn.
🐝 Busy as a Bee
Meaning: Very busy.
She was busy as a bee all day.
The kitchen was buzzing like a bee hive!
🦉 Night Owl
Meaning: Someone who stays up late.
He’s a night owl who reads late.
Night owls like calm evenings.
🐦 Early Bird
Meaning: Someone who wakes up early.
She’s an early bird for school.
Early birds love mornings!
🐰 In a Hare’s Time
Meaning: Very quickly.
He finished in a hare’s time.
The game ended in a hare’s time.
🌱 When the Time Is Ripe
Meaning: When ready.
We’ll start when the time is ripe.
The fruit is picked when the time is ripe.
🐢 Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Meaning: Going slow can lead to success.
She worked slowly and finished first.
Slow and steady wins the race!
🐓 From Daybreak to Dusk
Meaning: All day long.
They played from daybreak to dusk.
The trip lasted from daybreak to dusk.
🏫 Everyday Time Idioms
These idioms are commonly used in daily life and school.
⏳ Time Flies
Meaning: Time passes quickly.
Time flies when we play games.
Recess ended fast—time flies!
🕰️ Around the Corner
Meaning: Coming soon.
Summer vacation is around the corner.
The weekend is just around the corner.
📆 From Time to Time
Meaning: Sometimes.
I eat pizza from time to time.
She visits grandma from time to time.
⏰ On Time
Meaning: Not late.
Always come to school on time.
He arrived right on time.
🕒 In No Time
Meaning: Very quickly.
We cleaned the room in no time.
She finished the book in no time.
📅 Day In and Day Out
Meaning: Every day.
He practices piano day in and day out.
School routines happen day in and day out.
🧭 Time After Time
Meaning: Again and again.
She helps me time after time.
The lesson was explained time after time.
⏳ Take Your Time
Meaning: Don’t rush.
Take your time with the drawing.
She said, “Take your time!”
⌛ About Time
Meaning: Finally!
It’s about time we played!
It’s about time dinner was ready.
🕛 Long Time No See
Meaning: Haven’t met in a while.
Long time no see, my friend!
They said “long time no see” at school.
🍎 Food & Fun Time Idioms
These idioms mix food and fun with the idea of time.
🥧 Easy as Pie
Meaning: Very easy.
The test was easy as pie.
That puzzle was easy as pie.
⏲️ Cook Up a Plan
Meaning: Make a plan.
We cooked up a plan for the trip.
They cooked up a plan to clean faster.
🍰 Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
Meaning: Want everything.
You can’t play and study at the same time!
You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
☕ In the Coffee Break
Meaning: Short rest time.
We talked during the coffee break.
He finished work before the break.
🍬 Sweet Time
Meaning: Relaxed pace.
Take your sweet time reading.
She took her sweet time walking.
🍽️ Dinner Is Served
Meaning: Time to start.
Dinner is served—come see!
The show began—dinner is served!
🥪 Bite-Sized Time
Meaning: Small amount of time.
Study in bite-sized time slots.
Reading a page takes bite-sized time.
🍿 Just in Time for Snacks
Meaning: Perfect timing.
We arrived just in time for snacks.
The break came just in time!
🥞 Flip the Schedule
Meaning: Change plans.
They flipped the schedule today.
Class plans were flipped.
🍎 An Apple a Day (Over Time)
Meaning: Do something regularly.
Reading daily helps over time.
Practice works over time!
🎮 Play, School & Routine Time Idioms
These idioms are often heard during school, playtime, and daily routines.
⏰ Beat the Clock
Meaning: Finish before time runs out.
He beat the clock by finishing his test early.
We beat the clock before the bell rang.
🕒 Against the Clock
Meaning: In a hurry.
She worked against the clock to finish her art.
We raced against the clock during cleanup.
📚 From Start to Finish
Meaning: All the way through.
He read the book from start to finish.
She watched the movie from start to finish.
🏫 School Is in Session
Meaning: Time to work or learn.
When class begins, school is in session.
No games now—school is in session!
🕰️ Time Will Tell
Meaning: We’ll know later.
Time will tell if the plant grows.
Time will tell how the story ends.
🎒 Right from the Start
Meaning: From the very beginning.
She tried hard right from the start.
He understood the rules right from the start.
🕛 At That Moment
Meaning: Right then.
At that moment, the lights went out.
She felt happy at that moment.
⌛ Time on Your Hands
Meaning: Nothing to do.
I had time on my hands on Sunday.
When bored, he has time on his hands.
🧹 Time to Clean Up
Meaning: Time to finish or stop.
The teacher said it was time to clean up.
Playtime ended—it was time to clean up.
🛎️ Right Here, Right Now
Meaning: Immediately.
Finish the task right here, right now.
She wanted the answer right here, right now.
🌟 Future, Past & Waiting Time Idioms
These idioms talk about waiting, remembering, and what comes next.
🕊️ Sooner or Later
Meaning: It will happen eventually.
Sooner or later, you’ll learn it.
Sooner or later, the rain will stop.
🌈 In the Long Run
Meaning: Over a long time.
Reading helps in the long run.
Eating healthy is good in the long run.
⏳ For the Time Being
Meaning: For now.
Stay inside for the time being.
For the time being, let’s wait.
🕯️ In Times Gone By
Meaning: A long time ago.
People wrote letters in times gone by.
Games were different in times gone by.
🛤️ Down the Road
Meaning: In the future.
You’ll understand this down the road.
That skill will help you down the road.
🌱 Over Time
Meaning: Slowly as time passes.
She improved over time.
Plants grow over time.
🧭 Time on Your Side
Meaning: You are not rushed.
Take it easy—time is on your side.
You’ve got time on your side today.
🎈 Any Time Now
Meaning: Very soon.
The bus will arrive any time now.
The show will start any time now.
🌅 A New Day
Meaning: A fresh start.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Mistakes end when a new day begins.
⭐ About Time Too
Meaning: Finally happened.
You cleaned your room—about time too!
Recess started—about time too!
🌍 Waiting, Speed & Timing Idioms
These idioms are all about waiting patiently, moving fast, or picking the right moment.
⏳ Bide Your Time
Meaning: Wait patiently for the right moment.
She bided her time before answering the question.
He waited quietly and bided his time.
⚡ In a Flash
Meaning: Very quickly.
The lights went out in a flash.
He finished the puzzle in a flash.
🕰️ At the Right Time
Meaning: Exactly when needed.
Help arrived at the right time.
She spoke up at the right time.
🐢 Take It Slow
Meaning: Don’t rush.
Take it slow when learning something new.
He took it slow while reading.
🏃 Faster Than You Can Blink
Meaning: Extremely fast.
The puppy ran away faster than you can blink.
The magician’s trick happened faster than you can blink.
⏲️ Just a Matter of Time
Meaning: It will happen sooner or later.
It’s just a matter of time before she learns to swim.
Winning became a matter of time.
🪜 Step by Step
Meaning: Slowly, one thing at a time.
She learned math step by step.
Cleaning is easier step by step.
🕛 All of a Sudden
Meaning: Happening without warning.
All of a sudden, it started raining.
He smiled all of a sudden.
🌅 From Now On
Meaning: Starting now.
From now on, I’ll pack my bag early.
She decided to study harder from now on.
⏱️ Down to the Wire
Meaning: At the very last moment.
The game went down to the wire.
He finished the test down to the wire.
🎠 Fun & Friendly Time Idioms Kids Love
These idioms are playful and often used in stories and conversations.
🎉 Every Now and Then
Meaning: Sometimes.
Every now and then, we play board games.
She feels sleepy every now and then.
⏰ Same Old Time
Meaning: The usual time.
We meet at the same old time.
He wakes up at the same old time.
🌟 Once Upon a Time
Meaning: Long ago in stories.
Once upon a time, a dragon lived there.
Stories often begin with once upon a time.
⌛ Time After Time
Meaning: Again and again.
She practices spelling time after time.
He reminds me time after time.
🕯️ All the Time
Meaning: Very often.
He talks about dinosaurs all the time.
She reads books all the time.
🛎️ Any Day Now
Meaning: Very soon.
The package will arrive any day now.
The play will start any day now.
🧭 In the Meantime
Meaning: While waiting.
You can draw in the meantime.
In the meantime, we cleaned up.
🌈 At Long Last
Meaning: After waiting a long time.
At long last, summer vacation arrived.
The answer came at long last.
🎯 Right on Schedule
Meaning: Exactly on plan.
The class started right on schedule.
The bus arrived right on schedule.
🕊️ All in Good Time
Meaning: It will happen when ready.
You’ll understand it all in good time.
All in good time, learning becomes easier.
🚦 Planning, Routine & Daily Time Idioms
These idioms help describe schedules, habits, and daily planning.
🗓️ Day by Day
Meaning: Slowly, one day at a time.
She learned spelling day by day.
The plant grew day by day.
⏰ Every Minute Counts
Meaning: Time is important.
During tests, every minute counts.
Every minute counts when cleaning up fast.
🕒 On a Daily Basis
Meaning: Every day.
He practices reading on a daily basis.
She feeds the fish on a daily basis.
📆 From Day One
Meaning: From the very beginning.
She was kind from day one.
He followed rules from day one.
🕰️ Time Well Spent
Meaning: Time used wisely.
Reading together was time well spent.
Helping others is time well spent.
⌛ Make Time For
Meaning: Plan time to do something.
Make time for homework first.
She makes time for drawing.
🧭 At Regular Intervals
Meaning: Again and again after set times.
We take breaks at regular intervals.
The bell rings at regular intervals.
⏲️ In Due Time
Meaning: At the right time in the future.
You’ll understand math in due time.
The answer came in due time.
🕛 Same Time Tomorrow
Meaning: Meet again later.
Let’s play again—same time tomorrow!
They agreed to meet same time tomorrow.
🌅 Start Fresh Tomorrow
Meaning: Begin again later.
Mistakes happen—start fresh tomorrow.
She decided to start fresh tomorrow.
🎯 Getting Ready & Deadline Time Idioms
These idioms are often used when preparing or racing against time.
🕰️ Ahead of Schedule
Meaning: Finished early.
The class finished ahead of schedule.
She completed her work ahead of schedule.
⏳ Running Out of Time
Meaning: Almost no time left.
We were running out of time in the test.
He ran faster when time ran out.
🕛 Just in the Nick of Time
Meaning: Exactly before it’s too late.
The teacher arrived just in the nick of time.
Help showed up in the nick of time.
🕒 With Time to Spare
Meaning: Extra time left.
He finished the race with time to spare.
She packed her bag with time to spare.
⏰ Beat the Deadline
Meaning: Finish before time ends.
She beat the deadline for the project.
He beat the deadline by working early.
🛎️ Last-Minute Rush
Meaning: Moving fast near the end.
There was a last-minute rush to clean up.
He felt the last-minute rush before class.
⏲️ Up Against the Clock
Meaning: Very hurried.
They were up against the clock in the game.
She worked fast, up against the clock.
🧾 Cut It Close
Meaning: Almost late.
He cut it close getting to school.
The bus arrived late—we cut it close!
⏳ Time Slipped Away
Meaning: Time passed without notice.
Time slipped away while reading.
The day slipped away quickly.
🕊️ Plenty of Time
Meaning: No rush.
Relax—we have plenty of time.
She finished calmly with plenty of time.
❓ FAQs About Time Idioms
1. What are idioms about time?
They are English phrases used to talk about time in a fun and creative way.
2. Why are time idioms important for kids?
They help kids understand real conversations and express ideas clearly.
3. Are time idioms easy to learn?
Yes, with simple explanations, kids can learn and use them easily.
🌟 Conclusion
Idioms about time turn simple moments into interesting expressions. They help kids understand everyday English and talk about their lives in a fun and confident way. Learning these idioms makes language feel alive, not boring.
So keep learning, keep practicing, and let time idioms help you talk about every minute, hour, and day with style and confidence!
discover more post
Idioms Worksheet Learn Fun English Expressions the Easy Way! 2026
Easy Idioms for Kids – Learn Fun English the Easy Way! 2026
Modern Idioms Fun Phrases Kids Hear Today ?2026
Leave a Reply