Time Idioms

Time flies

Used to mean that time passes surprisingly quickly

Ex: Time flies when you’re having fun.

Ex: Time flies when I'm with you.

Kill time

To do something to pass the time while waiting

Ex: Let’s kill time playing hide and seek till Ahmed comes back.

Ex: If you’re bored waiting for your turn, you can kill time reading a magazine.

Call it a day

To decide to stop working, especially because you have done enough or you are tired

Ex: I’ve been working hard for hours, and I guess it’s time to call it a day.

Ex: The students did the assignment and then called it a day because they were exhausted.

On the dot

Exactly at the stated or expected time

Ex: I arrived at the airport at 6:00 pm on the dot.

Ex: I expect them to be here on the dot of 9.

• Note that while both forms are correct, the second sounds a bit formal or old-fashioned, while the first is more naturally modern.

In the nick of time

At the last possible moment

Ex: I submitted the assignment in the nick of time. It was a nightmare!

Ex: The police came in the nick of time and arrested the burglar.