1-
time flies
2-
from time to time
3-
now and again
4-
about time
5-
at one time
6-
the last minute
7-
in retrospect
8-
to look back
9-
for the time being
10-
punctuality
11-
punctual
12-
virtue
13-
day-to-day
14-
hindsight
15-
vivid
16-
to recall
17-
recollection
18-
extraordinary
19-
incredible
20-
unforgettable
21-
to slip
22-
to land
23-
inch
24-
to stick
25-
broadly speaking
26-
generally
27-
on the whole
28-
lasting
29-
vague
time flies
time flies
sentence
uk flag
/tˈaɪm flˈaɪz/
Spelling
Close
Sign in
Idiom

used to convey the idea that time passes quickly or seems to move swiftly

What is the origin of the idiom "time flies" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "time flies" can be traced back to ancient Latin literature, specifically to the phrase "tempus fugit," meaning "time flees" or "time flies." This expression reflects the universal human experience of time passing swiftly and is found in various literary works throughout history. The concept of time flying has been a recurring theme in philosophical and poetic discourse, emphasizing the transient nature of moments and the swift passage of time. Over centuries, the sentiment has been carried forward and translated into different languages, becoming a widely used and recognized expression to convey the perception that time seems to move quickly, especially during enjoyable or memorable experiences

from time to time
from time to time
Adverb
uk flag
/fɹʌm tˈaɪm tə tˈaɪm/
Collocation

without a fixed schedule or pattern

now and again
now and again
phrase
uk flag
/nˈaʊ ænd ɐɡˈɛn/

on occasions that are not regular or frequent

(about|high) time
about time
phrase
uk flag
/ɪt biː ɐbˌaʊt hˈaɪ tˈaɪm/
Idiom

used to indicate that something should have happened or been done earlier

What is the origin of the idiom "about time" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "about time" can be traced back to the Middle English period, where the word "about" was used to mean "concerning" or "regarding." The use of "about" in this manner can be seen in expressions like "about that matter" or "about this issue." In this phrase, the emphasis is on the passage of time and the feeling of it being an appropriate or overdue moment for a particular event or action. It is commonly used in informal conversations, casual writing, and even in more formal settings.

at one time
Adverb
uk flag
/æt wˈʌn tˈaɪm/

at a specific point or period in the past

the last minute
the last minute
phrase
uk flag
/ðə lˈæst mˈɪnɪt/
Idiom

the final moment or deadline to do something

What is the origin of the idiom "the last minute" and when to use it?

The idiom "the last minute" originated from the concept of time management and deadlines, emphasizing the urgency and pressure felt as a task or decision needs to be completed within the remaining time. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it has become a widely used expression in English around the 19th century. It is often used to highlight the significance of time and the need for efficiency.

in retrospect
Adverb
uk flag
/ɪn ɹˌɛtɹoʊspˈɛkt/
Collocation

used to reconsider something after gaining more information or experience

to look back
to look back
Verb
uk flag
/lˈʊk bˈæk/

to think about or consider past events, experiences, or decisions

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
Phrasal Status
inseparable
phrase's verb
look
phrase's particle
back
for the time being
for the time being
Adverb
uk flag
/fɚðə tˈaɪm bˈiːɪŋ/
Collocation

for a limited period, usually until a certain condition changes

punctuality
punctuality
noun
p
p
u
ʌ
n
n
c
k
t
ʧ
ua
l
l
i
ɪ
t
t
y
i

the habit or characteristic of being consistently on time

tardiness
punctual
punctual
Adjective
p
p
u
ə
n
n
c
k
t
ʧ
ua
l
l

happening or arriving at the time expected or arranged

unpunctual
virtue
noun
v
v
i
ɜ
r
r
t
ʧ
ue
u

any admirable quality or attribute

demerit
day-to-day
Adverb
uk flag
/ˈdeɪtuˌdeɪ/

in a manner that happens or is considered on a daily basis

hindsight
noun
h
h
i
n
n
d
d
s
s
i
gh
t
t

the ability to comprehend and evaluate past events or decisions, often gaining insights that were not apparent at the time

vivid
Adjective
v
v
i
ɪ
v
v
i
ə
d
d

producing lifelike and detailed mental images

to recall
to recall
Verb
uk flag
/ˈɹiˌkɔɫ/, /ɹɪˈkɔɫ/

to bring back something from the memory

forget

Grammatical Information:

transitive
recollection
noun
uk flag
/ˌɹɛkəˈɫɛkʃən/

the act or process of remembering or recalling past events, experiences, or information

extraordinary
extraordinary
Adjective
e
ɛ
x
ks
t
t
r
r
ao
əɔ:
r
r
d
d
i
ə
n
n
a
ɛ
r
r
y
i

very unusual, special, or surprising

ordinary
incredible
Adjective
i
ɪ
n
n
c
k
r
r
e
ɛ
d
d
i
ə
b
b
ə
l
l
e

too strange and impossible to believe

credible
unforgettable
Adjective
u
ə
n
n
f
f
o
ɜ
r
r
g
g
e
ɛ
tt
t
a
ə
b
b
ə
l
l
e

so memorable that being forgotten is impossible

forgettable
to slip
Verb
s
s
l
l
i
ɪ
p
p

to slide or move sideways, often unintentionally

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
to land
to land
Verb
l
l
a
æ
n
n
d
d

to arrive and rest on the ground or another surface after being in the air

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
inch
inch
noun
i
ɪ
n
n
ch
ʧ

a unit of length equal to one-twelfth of a foot or 2.54 centimeters

Grammatical Information:

to stick
Verb
s
s
t
t
i
ɪ
ck
k

(of a sharp or pointed thing) to be pushed or inserted into or through something

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
broadly speaking
Adverb
uk flag
/bɹˈɔːdli spˈiːkɪŋ/

without regard to specific details or exceptions

narrowly
generally
Adverb
g
ʤ
e
ɛ
n
n
e
ɜ
r
r
a
ə
ll
l
y
i

without regard to specific details or exceptions

narrowly
on the whole
Adverb
uk flag
/ɑːnðə hˈoʊl/
Collocation

used to provide a general assessment of a situation

lasting
lasting
Adjective
l
l
a
æ
s
s
t
t
i
ɪ
n
n
g
g

continuing or enduring for a long time, without significant changes

impermanent
vague
vague
Adjective
v
v
a
g
g
u
e

not clear or specific, lacking in detail or precision

Congratulations! !

You learned 29 words from undefined. To improve learning and review vocabulary, start practicing.

review-disable

Review

flashcard-disable

Flashcards

spelling-disable

Spelling

quiz-disable

Quiz

practice