Popular English Idioms

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7. AGAINST THE CLOCK
Doing something against the clock means you are rushed and have very little time to do it.

• I worked day and night against the clock to get this done on time, and you’re being so ungrateful!

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8. CALL TIME
When you call time on something, you decide it is time to end it.

• I think we should call time on this project. It is draining our resources, exhausting our manpower, and isn’t making any progress.

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9. AFTER THE WATERSHED
In some countries, the watershed is the time limit after which, more TV programmes can be shown that include adult humour, bad ********, or controversial subjects.

• Why are the children still up watching TV? They should be in bed now, it’s after the watershed!

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10. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
This suggests that it is better to do something late than not do it at all.

• I’ve finally managed to build my dream house. I know I’m nearly at retirement age, but it’s better late than never!

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11. DAYS ARE NUMBERED
When someone’s days are numbered, they are expected to die soon.

• The doctors say his days are numbered. They don’t have much hope of him surviving this illness.

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12. DO TIME / SERVE TIME
Used to describe someone’s sentence in prison.

• He is doing time for a crime he did not commit!

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13. DON’T KNOW WHETHER TO WIND A WATCH OR BARK AT THE MOON
Used when someone just doesn’t know what to do

• He has asked me to marry him and is still waiting for an answer, but I don’t know whether to wind a watch or bark at the moon!

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14. ELEVENTH HOUR
When something happens at the very last minute.

• Everyone thought he was going to lose when he had to stop to get a tyre changed, but at the eleventh hour, he came first and won the race!

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15. CRUNCH TIME
When someone has to make an important decision that will affect not just their future, but those of others around them too.

• As the Executive Director stepped out onto the podium, his clothes felt damp, and sweat beads were forming on his forehead. He knew it was crunch time.

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16. CARRY THE DAY
If something carries the day, it defines a win that felt like a long battle and could have gone either way.

• The Liverpool Football Club had carried the day well, they rejoiced as they held their prize, the League Cup, up high for all to see.

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17. TIME FLIES
A very common idiom that means time passes very quickly.

• I can’t believe it’s almost time to go home. It’s funny how time flies when you’re having fun!

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18. JUST IN TIME / IN THE NICK OF TIME
This means that you get somewhere or finish something just before it is too late. At the last possible moment.

• She thought her husband was going to miss the birth of their first baby, but he arrived just in the nick of time.

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19. ON TIME
This means to not be late, arrive at the right time.

• The trains here are never on time, it’s so annoying!

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20. SAVE TIME
This means to do something the quick way, in order to allow time for other things.

• If we drive there instead of taking the bus, we’ll save time.

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21. OUT OF TIME
This means there is no time left to do something. The time limit or deadline has been reached.

• You’re out of time now. If you haven’t answered all the questions in the test, then that is your own problem.