Idioms
Beat the clock
Meaning: To succeed in something before running out of time.
Example: In a desperate attempt to beat the clock, I raced to the post office to mail my college application before the final deadline.
Turn back time
Meaning: return to the past.
Example: If I could turn back time, I would have studied English at school.
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens rarely.
Example: Because of the tight budget, our manager buys donuts for the office once in a blue moon
Kill time
Meaning: To engage in a rather aimless or idle activity with the goal of making time pass more quickly.
Example: After my flight was delayed an extra hour, I managed to kill time in the airport by perusing the duty-free shops.
A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning: Complete a task properly and thoroughly the first time to avoid a bigger problem later.
Example: If I were you, I’d put an extra screw in that wood to make it more secure because a stitch in time saves nine.
Time is on my side
Meaning: To have the luxury of not having to worry about how long something will take.
Example: We don’t have to make the final decision until next week, so time is on our side.
Better late than never
Meaning: Doing something late is better than not doing it at all.
Example: Misha didn’t arrive until after break—better late than never!
In the nick of time
Meaning: Getting something done just before the deadline; completing a task with no time to spare.
Example: I stayed up all night, but I was able to finish my history class essay in the nick of time.
Crack of dawn
Meaning: Early in the morning.
Example: Kyle is always up at the crack of dawn; Amanda is more of a night owl and likes to sleep in.
Living on borrowed time
Meaning: To continue living after a point when you might easily have died.
Example: Ever since his 101st birthday, he feels like he’s living on borrowed time