Common English Collocations with TIME

• spend time
  To pass your time doing some activity.
  • I spend a lot of time studying English.
• waste time
  Doing something that is not a good use of time.
  • Stop wasting time playing computer games and get to work!
• make time for
  To "create" time in a busy schedule
  • I need to make time for regular exercise - maybe I can go to the gym before work.
• save time
  Something that is efficient and gives you extra time.
  • Shopping online saves me time because I don't have to wait in line at the store.
• free/spare time
  Time in which you have no obligations, and you can do whatever you want.
  • In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, and cooking.
• have time
  Be available to do something
  • I'd like to take violin lessons, But I don't have enough time.
• kill time/ pass the time
  Do something to make the time pass faster while you're waiting for something else.
  • Let's bring some magazine to help pass the time on the train ride.
• take your time
  You can use as much as you want, you don't have to go fast.
  • "I like all of these computers. I'm not sure which one I want to buy yet."
    "That's OK - take your time."
• on time
  On schedule, at the right time
  • It's important to arrive on time for a job interview.
• just in time
  At the perfect time, soon before something else happens
  • Hi, Henry! Have a rest - you got here just in time for dinner.
• have a hard/rough time
  Something difficult, or a difficult period in life.
  • I'm having a hard time solving this math problem. Could you help me?
• it's about time
  Something finally happened, but it should have happened a long time ago.
  • It's about time they fixed the air conditioner in my classroom! It's been broke for three years!.
• pressed for time
  In a rush, in a hurry (when you need to do something and you don't have enough time)
  • Sorry, I can't talk at the moment - I'm a bit pressed for time. Can I call you back later?
• run out of time
  Have no more time before the limit.
  • I ran out of time before I finished the test, so I didn't answer the last five questions.
• stall for time
  Delay
  • My son didn't want to go to bed, so he tried to stall for time by asking me to read him another bedtime story.
• take time off
  Not go to work.
  • I'm taking some time off in July to go camping with my family.
• ahead of one's time
  Having ideas or attitudes that are too advanced for the culture/society at the moment
  • My grandmother was ahead of her time - she opened her own company in an era when there were few woman in the business world.
• behind the times
  Old-fashioned, not keeping up with current developments
  • Bob is a bit behind the times - he doesn't know how to use a computer, much less a smartphone.
• a rage against time
  A situation when you need to rush to do something before the deadline (time limit)
  • The last day of submitting project proposals is one week from today - so now it's a race against time.
• in the nick of time
  At the last moment before it's too late.
  • We got to the airport in the nick of time - If we'd arrived 15 minutes later, we would've missed our flight.
• have the time of your life
  Have a super wonderful experience
  • My kids had the time of their lives at Disney World.
• have a devil/hell of a time
  A very difficult experience
  • I'm having a devil of a time trying to install this software - every time I try, I get a different error message.
• bide your time until
  Wait patiently for a good opportunity
  • He was just biding his time until he got a chance to work at his dream job.
• catch at a bad time
  Attempt to speak to someone in a moment that is inconvenient for him/her.
  • Hi Peter! You caught me at a bad time - I'm about to go into a meeting. Could I call you back in an hour?
• have a lot of time on your hands
  Have a lot of free time (maybe too much)
  • That guy completely covered the walls of his room with colored pencil drawings. He must have a lot of time on his hands!
• all in good time
  It will happen when the time is right, so be patient
  • "Why is it taking so long for my career to take off?"
    "All in good time ... just keep working hard and you'll make it."
• only a matter of time
  It will definitelly happen sooner or later
  • The company has lost money for the third year in a row; it's only a matter of time before it goes bankrupt.
• time will tell
  The passing of time will show the result, whether good or bad.
  • "I was surprised that Bill and Jackie got married. Do you think they'll be happy together?"
    "Only time will tell."
• stand the test of time
  Last for a long time and continue to be successful
  • This is a classic work of literature. It has stood the test of time.
• the time is ripe
  It is the best time to do something.
  • Real estate prices are low, and we have a lot of money saved up - I think the time is ripe for us to buy a house.
• a time suck
  Something that takes a lot of time (negative connotation)
  • Every week I have to update hundreds of documents for work - It's a real time suck.
• the big time
  The highest or most profitable level
  • She made it to the big time with the launch of her latest novel - it sold hundreds of thousands of copies in the first week.
• time flies
  Time passes very quickly
  • Your son is already 12 years old? I remember when he was a baby! How time flies ...
  • Time flies when you're having fun.
• time is of the essence
  Correct timing is very important (often used for things that are urgent)
  • In order to meet the deadline, you need to send us the contract by Monday - time is of the essence.
• third time is the charm
  The third time you try something, it will work (when the previous two attempts have failed)
  • I've called her twice, but she hasn't answered. Let me try again - the thirt time is the charm.
• give it time
  We say "give it time" when we want to tell someone to be patient, because in time things will change.
  • You just broke you ankle. I know you're anxious to get back to playing sports, but give it time.