TIME, deadlines and SPEED

After the watershed

A time after which programmes for older audiences may be aired on TV.

Against the clock

Being rushed and having little time to complete something.

Ahead of time

Something that happens early or before it is supposed to.

Around the clock

At any time of the day or night.

Around the corner

Will happen soon.

As time goes by

The passing of one moment to the next.

At the drop of a hat

Without any hesitation; instantly.

Beat the clock

Do something quickly before it's too late.

Better late than never

It is better to do something late than not at all.

Bide one's time

Waiting for further developments before taking action or making decisions.

Burn the midnight oil

To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting.

By degrees

Something happens or develops gradually or little by little.

Call it a day (or night)

Stop doing something for a while or until the next day (or night).

Calling time

Deciding to end something.

Clock-in/clock-out

Record the time of arrival and the time of departure.

Crack of dawn

Very early in the morning; the first moments of sunrise.

Crunch time

When an important decision needs to be made by.

Day to day

Part of a usual routine.

Days are numbered

Expected to be in a role or to die soon.

Donkey's years

A very long period of time.

Eleventh hour

At the very last minute or just in time.

For the time being

An action or state will continue into the future but is temporary.

From now on

From this time forward.

From time to time

Occasionally or not very often.

Here today, gone tomorrow

When desirable things, such as money or happiness, are temporary.

High time

When something should have been done already and is overdue.

Hour of need

When someone really needs something - their last chance.

In due course

Everything will happen when it is supposed to or at the appropriate time.

In one's own time

Taking as long as you want to complete something or completing something at your own pace.

In the blink of an eye (or an instant)

Something that happens very quickly.

In the interim

Between two events or something that is temporary.

In the long run

Over a period of time.

In the nick of time

Just before it is too late.

Kill time

Do something whilst waiting.

Lightning fast

Very fast.

Like clockwork

Happens at very regular times or intervals without fail.

Like there's no tomorrow

Do something fast or energetic, as if it were the last opportunity to do so.

Long time no see

Not seen since long ago.

Make time

Find time to do something as a priority.

Making good time

Completing something faster than expected.

Mile a minute

Happens very quickly.

Month of Sundays

A very long period of time.

No time like the present

The belief it is better to do something right away instead of waiting.

No time to lose

Start something right away, otherwise it won't be finished on time.

Not letting grass grow under your feet

Not delaying in getting something done.

Not letting moss grow over

Doing something now or without delay.

Now and then (or again)

Occasionally.

Now or never

Something that should be done now or it will never be done.

On time

Not being late or something happening at the expected time.

Once in a blue moon

Happens very rarely or once in a lifetime.

Once upon a time

Something that happened a long time ago.

Only time will tell

The truth, answer or result, will be revealed at some future point.

Out of time

No time left to do something or a set time has been reached.

Pressed for time

Being rushed or not having enough time to complete something.

Save time

Do something quickly or in a way that allows time for other things.

Shelf life

The expected duration or lifespan of something (typically food, drink or medicine).

Sooner or later

Something is certain to happen but it isn't known when exactly.

Standing the test of time

Something that lasts or continues to work well for a long time.

Stuck in a time warp

Not changed for a very long time, when everything else around has.

Take each day as it comes

Deal with things as and when they happen.

The moment of truth

When an important decision is made or the truth about something is revealed.

The ship has sailed

A particular opportunity has passed and is no longer available.

The time is ripe

The right or most opportune moment to do something.

This day and age

These or modern times.

Time after time (time and time again)

Do something repeatedly.

Time flies

When time passes quickly.

Time for a change

Stop what you are doing and start doing something else.

Time heals all wounds (or time is a great healer)

Feelings of hurt (usually emotional) will go away after some time has passed.

Time is money

Time is a valuable commodity; payment is needed before doing something.

Time is of the essence

When meeting a deadline is very important or critical.

Time of one's life

A time when someone is enjoying themselves.

Time on one's hands (or side)

When you can afford to wait before doing or achieving something.

Too much (free) time on one's hand

When someone doesn't have enough to do.

Turn back the hands of time

Reverse something or go back to a time in the past.

Until hell freezes over

Something will never happen, no matter how hard or long you try for it to.

Waiting in the wings

Waiting for an opportunity to take action.

Wasting time

Doing something with no purpose.

Year in, year out

Happens every year for many years in a row.

in the long run (B2)

over or after a long period of time

around/round the clock (C1)

all day and all night without stopping

in the nick of time (C1)

just before it is too late

live on borrowed time (C1)

likely to fail or die very soon

since time immemorial (C1)

for a very long time

at the best of times (C2)

when everything is going well

at the crack of dawn (C2)

very early in the morning, at dawn

in the blink of an eye (C2)

extremely quickly

on the dot (C2)

exactly at the stated or expected time

on the spur of the moment (C2)

on impulse, without planning in advance

all of a sudden (B2)

suddenly

at all times (B2)

constantly or very frequently

at the last minute (B2)

the latest possible opportunity for doing sth

at your convenience (B2)

when you want

be pressed for time (B2)

needing time, be in a hurry

better late than never (B2)

it's better to do something late than to not

(every) now and then/again (B2)

sometimes, but not very often

from/out of nowhere (B2)

very suddenly and unexpectedly

have the time of one's life (B2)

have a fantastic experience

have/take time off (B2)

stop work, in order to do something else

in (less than/next to) no time (B2)

in a very short time