⏰ Time Idioms
English has some wonderfully imaginative ways to talk about time. You can beat the clock when a deadline is approaching, hit the sack when you're ready for bed, or discover that time flies when an afternoon disappears before you notice.
These 10 idioms cover deadlines, delays, rare events, changing subjects, invitations, and those moments when you suddenly realize how quickly the hours have passed.
🕒 Time Idioms
🕒 Around the Clock
Meaning: All day and night, without stopping or with activity continuing throughout a 24-hour period.
Example:
The emergency repair crew worked around the clock to restore power before the storm arrived.
Todo el día y toda la noche, sin parar o con actividad durante las 24 horas.
🇫🇷 French: 24 heures sur 24
Jour et nuit, sans s'arrêter, ou avec une activité qui continue pendant 24 heures.
🇩🇪 German: Rund um die Uhr
Tag und Nacht, ohne Pause, oder mit Tätigkeit über 24 Stunden.
🇮🇹 Italian: 24 ore su 24
Giorno e notte, senza fermarsi, o con attività continua per 24 ore.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: 24 horas por dia
O dia e a noite inteiros, sem parar, ou com atividade o tempo todo.
💡 Usage: This expression emphasizes continuous activity. It is often used for hospitals, emergency services, businesses, projects, or people working through the night.
Meaning: All day and night, without stopping or with activity continuing throughout a 24-hour period.
Example:
The emergency repair crew worked around the clock to restore power before the storm arrived.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Las 24 horas / sin pararTodo el día y toda la noche, sin parar o con actividad durante las 24 horas.
🇫🇷 French: 24 heures sur 24
Jour et nuit, sans s'arrêter, ou avec une activité qui continue pendant 24 heures.
🇩🇪 German: Rund um die Uhr
Tag und Nacht, ohne Pause, oder mit Tätigkeit über 24 Stunden.
🇮🇹 Italian: 24 ore su 24
Giorno e notte, senza fermarsi, o con attività continua per 24 ore.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: 24 horas por dia
O dia e a noite inteiros, sem parar, ou com atividade o tempo todo.
💡 Usage: This expression emphasizes continuous activity. It is often used for hospitals, emergency services, businesses, projects, or people working through the night.
⏰ Beat the Clock
Meaning: To finish something before a deadline or just before time runs out.
Example:
We managed to beat the clock and submit the application three minutes before the deadline.
Terminar algo antes de una fecha límite o justo antes de que se acabe el tiempo.
🇫🇷 French: Battre la montre
Finir quelque chose avant une échéance ou juste avant que le temps ne soit écoulé.
🇩🇪 German: Die Zeit schlagen
Etwas vor einer Frist oder knapp bevor die Zeit abläuft fertig bekommen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Battere il tempo
Finire qualcosa prima di una scadenza o proprio prima che finisca il tempo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Ganhar do relógio
Terminar algo antes do prazo ou bem na hora em que o tempo acaba.
🕰️ Origin: The expression uses the image of competing against a clock, as though time itself were an opponent in a race.
Meaning: To finish something before a deadline or just before time runs out.
Example:
We managed to beat the clock and submit the application three minutes before the deadline.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Ganarle al relojTerminar algo antes de una fecha límite o justo antes de que se acabe el tiempo.
🇫🇷 French: Battre la montre
Finir quelque chose avant une échéance ou juste avant que le temps ne soit écoulé.
🇩🇪 German: Die Zeit schlagen
Etwas vor einer Frist oder knapp bevor die Zeit abläuft fertig bekommen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Battere il tempo
Finire qualcosa prima di una scadenza o proprio prima che finisca il tempo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Ganhar do relógio
Terminar algo antes do prazo ou bem na hora em que o tempo acaba.
🕰️ Origin: The expression uses the image of competing against a clock, as though time itself were an opponent in a race.
⏳ Better Late Than Never
Meaning: It is better to do something late than not do it at all.
Example:
I finally learned how to play the guitar at forty. Better late than never.
Es mejor hacer algo tarde que no hacerlo en absoluto.
🇫🇷 French: Mieux vaut tard que jamais
Il vaut mieux faire quelque chose en retard que de ne pas le faire du tout.
🇩🇪 German: Besser spät als nie
Es ist besser, etwas spät zu tun, als gar nicht.
🇮🇹 Italian: Meglio tardi che mai
È meglio fare qualcosa in ritardo che non farla affatto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Antes tarde do que nunca
É melhor fazer algo tarde do que não fazer de jeito nenhum.
💡 Usage: This is often said humorously or reassuringly when someone has started, arrived, or completed something later than expected.
Meaning: It is better to do something late than not do it at all.
Example:
I finally learned how to play the guitar at forty. Better late than never.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Más vale tarde que nuncaEs mejor hacer algo tarde que no hacerlo en absoluto.
🇫🇷 French: Mieux vaut tard que jamais
Il vaut mieux faire quelque chose en retard que de ne pas le faire du tout.
🇩🇪 German: Besser spät als nie
Es ist besser, etwas spät zu tun, als gar nicht.
🇮🇹 Italian: Meglio tardi che mai
È meglio fare qualcosa in ritardo che non farla affatto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Antes tarde do que nunca
É melhor fazer algo tarde do que não fazer de jeito nenhum.
💡 Usage: This is often said humorously or reassuringly when someone has started, arrived, or completed something later than expected.
💬 By the Way
Meaning: Used to introduce an additional point or change the subject slightly.
Example:
By the way, did you remember to bring the keys? We may not get another chance to go back.
Se usa para añadir un dato o cambiar un poco de tema.
🇫🇷 French: Au fait / à propos
Sert à introduire un point supplémentaire ou à changer un peu de sujet.
🇩🇪 German: Übrigens
Wird benutzt, um einen Extra-Punkt einzubringen oder das Thema leicht zu wechseln.
🇮🇹 Italian: A proposito / comunque
Si usa per aggiungere un punto o cambiare un po' argomento.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: A propósito / aliás
Usado para acrescentar um ponto ou mudar um pouco de assunto.
💡 Usage: “By the way” is extremely common in everyday conversation. It can introduce something connected to the current topic or something completely new.
Meaning: Used to introduce an additional point or change the subject slightly.
Example:
By the way, did you remember to bring the keys? We may not get another chance to go back.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Por cierto / a propósitoSe usa para añadir un dato o cambiar un poco de tema.
🇫🇷 French: Au fait / à propos
Sert à introduire un point supplémentaire ou à changer un peu de sujet.
🇩🇪 German: Übrigens
Wird benutzt, um einen Extra-Punkt einzubringen oder das Thema leicht zu wechseln.
🇮🇹 Italian: A proposito / comunque
Si usa per aggiungere un punto o cambiare un po' argomento.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: A propósito / aliás
Usado para acrescentar um ponto ou mudar um pouco de assunto.
💡 Usage: “By the way” is extremely common in everyday conversation. It can introduce something connected to the current topic or something completely new.
🛏️ Hit the Sack
Meaning: To go to bed or go to sleep.
Example:
I'm exhausted after that flight. I'm going to hit the sack as soon as I get home.
Acostarse o irse a dormir.
🇫🇷 French: Aller au pieu / aller se coucher
Aller au lit ou s'endormir.
🇩🇪 German: In die Falle gehen / ins Bett gehen
Ins Bett gehen oder schlafen gehen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Andare a letto / andare a dormire
Andare a letto o addormentarsi.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cair na cama / ir dormir
Ir para a cama ou ir dormir.
🕰️ Origin: The expression is commonly associated with an old informal use of “sack” for a bed or mattress. The image is simply that of going to one's sleeping place.
Meaning: To go to bed or go to sleep.
Example:
I'm exhausted after that flight. I'm going to hit the sack as soon as I get home.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Irse a la cama / irse a dormirAcostarse o irse a dormir.
🇫🇷 French: Aller au pieu / aller se coucher
Aller au lit ou s'endormir.
🇩🇪 German: In die Falle gehen / ins Bett gehen
Ins Bett gehen oder schlafen gehen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Andare a letto / andare a dormire
Andare a letto o addormentarsi.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cair na cama / ir dormir
Ir para a cama ou ir dormir.
🕰️ Origin: The expression is commonly associated with an old informal use of “sack” for a bed or mattress. The image is simply that of going to one's sleeping place.
✂️ Long Story Short
Meaning: Used to give a brief version of a story or explanation without all the details.
Example:
Long story short, we missed the train, found a different route, and still arrived before dinner.
Se usa para contar una versión breve de una historia o explicación, sin todos los detalles.
🇫🇷 French: Pour faire court
Sert à donner une version brève d'une histoire ou d'une explication, sans tous les détails.
🇩🇪 German: Kurz gesagt
Wird benutzt, um eine kurze Fassung einer Geschichte oder Erklärung zu geben, ohne alle Details.
🇮🇹 Italian: Per farla breve
Si usa per dare una versione breve di una storia o di una spiegazione, senza tutti i dettagli.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Resumindo
Usado para contar uma versão curta de uma história ou explicação, sem todos os detalhes.
💡 Usage: This phrase is especially useful in conversation when a story has become complicated and the speaker wants to jump to the important conclusion.
Meaning: Used to give a brief version of a story or explanation without all the details.
Example:
Long story short, we missed the train, found a different route, and still arrived before dinner.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: En resumidas cuentasSe usa para contar una versión breve de una historia o explicación, sin todos los detalles.
🇫🇷 French: Pour faire court
Sert à donner une version brève d'une histoire ou d'une explication, sans tous les détails.
🇩🇪 German: Kurz gesagt
Wird benutzt, um eine kurze Fassung einer Geschichte oder Erklärung zu geben, ohne alle Details.
🇮🇹 Italian: Per farla breve
Si usa per dare una versione breve di una storia o di una spiegazione, senza tutti i dettagli.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Resumindo
Usado para contar uma versão curta de uma história ou explicação, sem todos os detalhes.
💡 Usage: This phrase is especially useful in conversation when a story has become complicated and the speaker wants to jump to the important conclusion.
🌕 Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Very rarely.
Example:
I still eat at that old restaurant once in a blue moon, but these days I usually cook at home.
Muy rara vez.
🇫🇷 French: Une fois tous les trente-six du mois
Très rarement.
🇩🇪 German: Alle Jubeljahre einmal
Sehr selten.
🇮🇹 Italian: Una volta ogni morte di papa
Molto raramente.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: De vez em nunca / raramente
Muito raramente.
🕰️ Origin: A “blue moon” is a rare astronomical event in traditional calendar usage. The phrase came to be associated with something unusual or infrequent, giving us its modern meaning of “very rarely.”
Meaning: Very rarely.
Example:
I still eat at that old restaurant once in a blue moon, but these days I usually cook at home.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: De uvas a peras / muy de vez en cuandoMuy rara vez.
🇫🇷 French: Une fois tous les trente-six du mois
Très rarement.
🇩🇪 German: Alle Jubeljahre einmal
Sehr selten.
🇮🇹 Italian: Una volta ogni morte di papa
Molto raramente.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: De vez em nunca / raramente
Muito raramente.
🕰️ Origin: A “blue moon” is a rare astronomical event in traditional calendar usage. The phrase came to be associated with something unusual or infrequent, giving us its modern meaning of “very rarely.”
👍 So Far, So Good
Meaning: Everything is going well up to this point, although the situation may not be finished yet.
Example:
We've been driving for six hours and, so far, so good. The car hasn't made any strange noises.
Hasta ahora todo va bien, aunque la situación quizá no haya terminado.
🇫🇷 French: Jusqu'ici, tout va bien
Tout se passe bien jusqu'à présent, même si la situation n'est peut-être pas encore terminée.
🇩🇪 German: Bis jetzt alles gut
Bis zu diesem Punkt läuft alles gut, auch wenn die Sache noch nicht vorbei ist.
🇮🇹 Italian: Finora tutto bene
Finora va tutto bene, anche se la situazione forse non è ancora finita.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Até agora, tudo bem
Até este ponto está tudo bem, embora a situação talvez ainda não tenha acabado.
💡 Usage: The phrase can sound cautiously optimistic because it describes the situation up to now rather than guaranteeing that everything will continue to go well.
Meaning: Everything is going well up to this point, although the situation may not be finished yet.
Example:
We've been driving for six hours and, so far, so good. The car hasn't made any strange noises.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: De momento, bienHasta ahora todo va bien, aunque la situación quizá no haya terminado.
🇫🇷 French: Jusqu'ici, tout va bien
Tout se passe bien jusqu'à présent, même si la situation n'est peut-être pas encore terminée.
🇩🇪 German: Bis jetzt alles gut
Bis zu diesem Punkt läuft alles gut, auch wenn die Sache noch nicht vorbei ist.
🇮🇹 Italian: Finora tutto bene
Finora va tutto bene, anche se la situazione forse non è ancora finita.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Até agora, tudo bem
Até este ponto está tudo bem, embora a situação talvez ainda não tenha acabado.
💡 Usage: The phrase can sound cautiously optimistic because it describes the situation up to now rather than guaranteeing that everything will continue to go well.
☔ Take a Rain Check
Meaning: To politely postpone an invitation or plan and suggest doing it another time.
Example:
I'd love to come for dinner, but I'm completely exhausted tonight. Can I take a rain check?
Posponer con educación una invitación o un plan y proponer hacerlo en otro momento.
🇫🇷 French: Remettre à plus tard
Reporter poliment une invitation ou un projet et proposer de le faire une autre fois.
🇩🇪 German: Auf später verschieben
Eine Einladung oder einen Plan höflich verschieben und vorschlagen, es ein anderes Mal zu machen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Rimandare a un'altra volta
Rinviare con educazione un invito o un piano e proporre di farlo un altro giorno.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Deixar para outra hora
Adiar com educação um convite ou um plano e sugerir fazer em outro momento.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from baseball in the United States. When a game was postponed because of rain, spectators could receive a ticket allowing them to attend a later game.
Meaning: To politely postpone an invitation or plan and suggest doing it another time.
Example:
I'd love to come for dinner, but I'm completely exhausted tonight. Can I take a rain check?
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Dejarlo para otro díaPosponer con educación una invitación o un plan y proponer hacerlo en otro momento.
🇫🇷 French: Remettre à plus tard
Reporter poliment une invitation ou un projet et proposer de le faire une autre fois.
🇩🇪 German: Auf später verschieben
Eine Einladung oder einen Plan höflich verschieben und vorschlagen, es ein anderes Mal zu machen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Rimandare a un'altra volta
Rinviare con educazione un invito o un piano e proporre di farlo un altro giorno.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Deixar para outra hora
Adiar com educação um convite ou um plano e sugerir fazer em outro momento.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from baseball in the United States. When a game was postponed because of rain, spectators could receive a ticket allowing them to attend a later game.
✈️ Time Flies
Meaning: Time seems to pass very quickly, especially when you are enjoying yourself or concentrating on something.
Example:
We started talking after lunch and suddenly it was dark outside. Time flies when you have good company.
El tiempo parece pasar muy deprisa, sobre todo cuando te lo pasas bien o estás concentrado.
🇫🇷 French: Le temps passe vite
Le temps semble passer très vite, surtout quand on s'amuse ou qu'on est concentré.
🇩🇪 German: Die Zeit vergeht wie im Flug
Die Zeit scheint sehr schnell zu vergehen, besonders wenn man Spaß hat oder sich konzentriert.
🇮🇹 Italian: Il tempo vola
Il tempo sembra passare molto in fretta, soprattutto quando ci si diverte o si è concentrati.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: O tempo voa
O tempo parece passar muito rápido, principalmente quando você está se divertindo ou concentrado.
🕰️ Origin: The idea that time “flies” is very old in English. The expression compares passing time to something moving quickly through the air and beyond our ability to stop it.
Meaning: Time seems to pass very quickly, especially when you are enjoying yourself or concentrating on something.
Example:
We started talking after lunch and suddenly it was dark outside. Time flies when you have good company.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: El tiempo vuelaEl tiempo parece pasar muy deprisa, sobre todo cuando te lo pasas bien o estás concentrado.
🇫🇷 French: Le temps passe vite
Le temps semble passer très vite, surtout quand on s'amuse ou qu'on est concentré.
🇩🇪 German: Die Zeit vergeht wie im Flug
Die Zeit scheint sehr schnell zu vergehen, besonders wenn man Spaß hat oder sich konzentriert.
🇮🇹 Italian: Il tempo vola
Il tempo sembra passare molto in fretta, soprattutto quando ci si diverte o si è concentrati.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: O tempo voa
O tempo parece passar muito rápido, principalmente quando você está se divertindo ou concentrado.
🕰️ Origin: The idea that time “flies” is very old in English. The expression compares passing time to something moving quickly through the air and beyond our ability to stop it.
🧠 Useful Distinctions
⏰ Beat the clock vs. 🕒 Around the clock
These expressions both involve a clock, but they describe completely different situations.
Beat the clock means finishing something before time runs out.
Around the clock means something continues throughout the day and night.
Example: The team worked around the clock to beat the clock and finish the project before Friday.
These expressions both involve a clock, but they describe completely different situations.
Beat the clock means finishing something before time runs out.
Around the clock means something continues throughout the day and night.
Example: The team worked around the clock to beat the clock and finish the project before Friday.
⏳ Better late than never vs. ☔ Take a rain check
Better late than never is about eventually doing something despite being late.
Take a rain check means postponing something until another time.
If you arrive two hours late but still attend the party, someone might say better late than never. If you cannot attend tonight and want to come another day, you can take a rain check.
Better late than never is about eventually doing something despite being late.
Take a rain check means postponing something until another time.
If you arrive two hours late but still attend the party, someone might say better late than never. If you cannot attend tonight and want to come another day, you can take a rain check.
💬 By the way vs. ✂️ Long story short
By the way helps you introduce another point or change the subject.
Long story short helps you shorten a story or explanation and get to the main point.
You might say “By the way, I saw your brother yesterday” to introduce a new topic. You might say “Long story short, we missed the flight” to skip a complicated explanation.
By the way helps you introduce another point or change the subject.
Long story short helps you shorten a story or explanation and get to the main point.
You might say “By the way, I saw your brother yesterday” to introduce a new topic. You might say “Long story short, we missed the flight” to skip a complicated explanation.
🌕 Once in a blue moon vs. ✈️ Time flies
These expressions both talk about time, but one describes frequency and the other describes speed.
Once in a blue moon means something happens very rarely.
Time flies means time seems to pass very quickly.
You might visit a particular restaurant once in a blue moon, but when you spend an evening there with friends, you may feel that time flies.
These expressions both talk about time, but one describes frequency and the other describes speed.
Once in a blue moon means something happens very rarely.
Time flies means time seems to pass very quickly.
You might visit a particular restaurant once in a blue moon, but when you spend an evening there with friends, you may feel that time flies.
💬 Idioms in Everyday English
⏰ "We only have ten minutes left, so let's beat the clock."
A natural way to encourage people to finish something before a deadline.
🇫🇷 Il ne nous reste que dix minutes, alors battons la montre.
🇩🇪 Wir haben nur noch zehn Minuten, also schlagen wir die Zeit.
🇮🇹 Ci restano solo dieci minuti, quindi battiamo il tempo.
🇵🇹 Só temos dez minutos, então vamos ganhar do relógio.
A natural way to encourage people to finish something before a deadline.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Solo nos quedan diez minutos, así que hay que ganarle al reloj.🇫🇷 Il ne nous reste que dix minutes, alors battons la montre.
🇩🇪 Wir haben nur noch zehn Minuten, also schlagen wir die Zeit.
🇮🇹 Ci restano solo dieci minuti, quindi battiamo il tempo.
🇵🇹 Só temos dez minutos, então vamos ganhar do relógio.
☔ "I'm sorry, but can I take a rain check on dinner tonight?"
A polite way to postpone a social plan without rejecting the invitation completely.
🇫🇷 Désolé, on peut remettre le dîner de ce soir à plus tard ?
🇩🇪 Tut mir leid, können wir das Abendessen heute auf später verschieben?
🇮🇹 Scusa, possiamo rimandare la cena di stasera a un'altra volta?
🇵🇹 Desculpa, posso deixar o jantar de hoje para outra hora?
A polite way to postpone a social plan without rejecting the invitation completely.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Lo siento, ¿podemos dejar la cena de esta noche para otro día?🇫🇷 Désolé, on peut remettre le dîner de ce soir à plus tard ?
🇩🇪 Tut mir leid, können wir das Abendessen heute auf später verschieben?
🇮🇹 Scusa, possiamo rimandare la cena di stasera a un'altra volta?
🇵🇹 Desculpa, posso deixar o jantar de hoje para outra hora?
✂️ "Long story short, we ended up taking the train."
The speaker is skipping the complicated details and giving the main result.
🇫🇷 Pour faire court, on a fini par prendre le train.
🇩🇪 Kurz gesagt, am Ende sind wir mit dem Zug gefahren.
🇮🇹 Per farla breve, alla fine abbiamo preso il treno.
🇵🇹 Resumindo, a gente acabou pegando o trem.
The speaker is skipping the complicated details and giving the main result.
Show translations
🇪🇸 En resumidas cuentas, acabamos cogiendo el tren.🇫🇷 Pour faire court, on a fini par prendre le train.
🇩🇪 Kurz gesagt, am Ende sind wir mit dem Zug gefahren.
🇮🇹 Per farla breve, alla fine abbiamo preso il treno.
🇵🇹 Resumindo, a gente acabou pegando o trem.
✈️ "Time flies when you're having fun."
A very common expression for the feeling that enjoyable time passes surprisingly quickly.
🇫🇷 Le temps passe vite quand on s'amuse.
🇩🇪 Die Zeit vergeht wie im Flug, wenn man Spaß hat.
🇮🇹 Il tempo vola quando ci si diverte.
🇵🇹 O tempo voa quando a gente se diverte.
A very common expression for the feeling that enjoyable time passes surprisingly quickly.
Show translations
🇪🇸 El tiempo vuela cuando te lo pasas bien.🇫🇷 Le temps passe vite quand on s'amuse.
🇩🇪 Die Zeit vergeht wie im Flug, wenn man Spaß hat.
🇮🇹 Il tempo vola quando ci si diverte.
🇵🇹 O tempo voa quando a gente se diverte.
🏆 Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Read the situation. Choose the idiom that matches it best.
Read the situation. Choose the idiom that matches it best.
Question 1 of 10
✅ Correct: 0
❓ Questions: 0
🎯 Accuracy: 0%