Popular English Idioms

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22. AS TIME GOES BY
This means the passing of time. As time passes or moves on.

• As time has gone by, I have become less interested in clubbing and partying.

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23. TIME IS MONEY
This famous expression means that your time is a valuable commodity, and that you should put it to good use, otherwise you’ll lose more than you gain.

• It’s not worth waiting to hear back from that company. Time is money, you should just start contacting other employees instead.

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24. MAKE TIME
This means to find the time to do something that should take priority. Having to clear some time in your schedule to do something.

• You should make more time for your children. They’re growing up so fast, and you’re missing all of it.

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25. TIME FOR A CHANGE
To stop what you are doing and start doing something different with your life

• After working in the same company for 15 years, I feel like it’s time for a change.

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26. COME OF AGE
When something develops completely and reaches maturity. Also used for when a person reaches adulthood or fulfils their potential.

• He has come of age now, and is wise enough to take the throne and become king.

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27. CRACK OF DAWN
Very early in the morning. The very first moments of sunrise.

• I wake up at the crack of dawn and go for a run every day.

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28. HIT THE BIG TIME
This means to become successful.

• After John hit the big time, he became very rich and forgot about all his old friends.

29. BIG TIME
This simply means ‘very much’ or ‘a lot’.

• You owe me big time because I helped you with your school project.

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30. DAY IN THE SUN
When you have your day in the sun, it means you get the attention you want and are appreciated.

• It felt like a day in the sun today. My manager actually noticed me and praised my work. I was even able to put my feet up and have dinner *****d for me when I got home!

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31. EVEN A BROKEN/STOPPED CLOCK IS RIGHT TWICE A DAY
This is used when people get lucky but don’t deserve it, or are undeservedly successful.

• He definitely didn’t deserve to win the lottery, but even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

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32. FEAST TODAY, FAMINE TOMORROW
If you indulge yourself with everything that you have today, and don’t save for a tougher time then you may have to go without tomorrow.

• He’s just bought himself a new Lambourghini, and wears new suits every day. He doesn’t understand that it’ll be feast today, famine tomorrow if he continues like this!

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33. FIVE ‘O’CLOCK SHADOW
This is the term for the facial hair that a man gets if he doesn’t shave for a day or two.

• You can’t go for your interview with a five ‘o’clock shadow! Go and have a shave!

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34. FOR THE TIME BEING
This indicates an action or state will continue into the future, but is temporary.

• You can stay in my house for the time being, but you need to save up some money and get your own flat.

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35. FULL OF THE JOYS OF SPRING
Used to describe someone who is very happy and full of energy.

• I wonder why she is so full of the joys of spring, Darren must’ve proposed to her!

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36. GIVEN THE DAY THAT’S IN IT
This Irish idiom is used when something is very obvious because of the day that it occurs on.

• Well, there are hardly any taxi drivers around, given the day that’s in it is Christmas.

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37. GOOD TIME
When someone manages to travel faster than expected and gets to their destination early.

• I got to the office in good time, but got lost inside the building trying to find my interview room, and ended up being late anyway!