TIME + VERB
elapse, go by, pass As time went by we saw less and less of each other. The changing seasons mark the passing of time fly How time flies! drag Time drags in this job heal sth Time heals all wounds
PREP
in ~ The world exists in time and space over ~ Perceptions change over time through ~ travel through time
PHRASES
the mists of time The origins of this custom are lost in the mists of time
ADJ
good, perfect My watch keeps good time local The attacks were launched at 9 p.m. local time British Summer, Greenwich Mean, etc.
VERB + TIME
tell Can your son tell the time yet? have Have you got the time? make What time do you make it? look at Look at the time! We'll be late keep
PREP
ahead of/behind … ~ two hours behind Central European Time
PHRASES
this time tomorrow, etc. This time tomorrow I'll be in Canada time in/ of the morning/afternoon/evening, time of (the) night/year, time of day
ADJ
peak There are extra buses at peak times closing, opening arrival, departure
VERB + TIME
fix, set We need to fix a time for the next meeting
TIME + VERB
come You'll feel differently about it when the time comes
PREP
ahead of ~ Check the programme ahead of time behind ~ The plane took off an hour behind time by the ~ By the time you get there the meeting will be over in ~ We got home in time to see the end of the match on ~ The trains are rarely on time
ADJ
considerable, long little, short reasonable precious We're wasting precious time idle free, leisure, spare journey, travel, travelling lead, waiting There is a long lead time between order and delivery of the product
VERB + TIME
have Have you got time for a chat? I had no time to think give sb/sth I can certainly do the job if you give me time take (sb) It takes time to make changes in the law. It took her a long time to read the report. Take your time (= take as much time as you like) spend She spends much of her time reading kill, pass, while away It helps to pass the time fritter away, idle away devote, put She devotes all her spare time to gardening. He put all his time into the show allow They didn't allow much time for discussion find, make I can never find time to write letters. I can probably make the time to see them wait We had to wait some time before the bus arrived gain, save You would save time with a dishwasher waste lose, run out of We have no time to lose (= we must hurry) . I didn't finish the test?I ran out of time be pressed for/short of be out of play for Not knowing what to do, she played for time by going to the bathroom
TIME + VERB
be up, run out Sorry, your time is up
TIME + NOUN
period, scale, span limit lag
PREP
at a ~ He surfs the Internet for hours at a time for a ~ I lived there for a time in ~ You'll get used to the work in time over/with ~ Her skills improved with time
PHRASES
all in good time (= sth will happen when the time is right) Be patient, Emily! All in good time all the time/the whole time The letter was in my pocket all the time (= while I was looking for it) . She leaves the lights on all the time (= always/repeatedly) a battle/race against time Finishing the book was a race against time if time permits We will discuss this matter later, if time permits in the fullness of time (= when the time is right, usually after a long period), in good/ plenty of time Get to the airport in good time (= plenty of time before the plane leaves) in next to no time/in no time at all, in ten minutes', three hours', etc. time I'll be back in ten minutes' time in your own (good) time (= taking as long as you want/need), a length of time Have you lived abroad for any length of time? most of the time, a period of time, some/a long time ago Her parents died a long time ago a waste of time What a waste of time!
ADJ
good, great, happy bad, difficult, hard, rough, sad, troubled, unhappy Times are hard for the unemployed ancient, early, former, old in ancient times modern, recent medieval, prehistoric, etc.
VERB + TIME
have We had a great time at the party
TIME + VERB
change Times have changed since Grandma was young
PREP
at a/the~ He lived at the time of the French Revolution. At one time Mary was my best friend before your ~ The Beatles were before my time in your ~ Mr Curtis was the manager in my time (= when I was working there) in ~s in times of trouble
PHRASES
from/since time immemorial (= for a very long time), of all time the greatest footballer of all time a sign of the times, time was when Time was when (= there was a time when) we never needed to lock our house at night
ADJ
that, this I'm determined to pass this time last When was the last time you saw her? another, next Next time you're here let's have lunch together one each, every Every time I hear that song I feel happy appropriate, good, suitable Is this an appropriate time to discuss my salary? appointed, right bad, wrong This would be a bad time to tell her first, second, etc. umpteenth countless I've told you countless times
VERB + TIME
bide We'll have to bide our time until the rain stops
TIME + VERB
come Your time will come be ripe The time is ripe for revolution
PREP
at a/the ~ The lift can take four people at a time. At the time of writing, a ceasefire is under discussion. Hot water is available at all times. He can be rather moody at times by the ~ She'll have gone by the time we get there for the … ~ I told her not to do it for the umpteenth time ~ for It's time for a break
PHRASES
at the present time, for the time being (= temporarily), a number of times, X times out of X three times out of ten
ADJ
enjoyable, fun, good, grand, great, marvellous, pleasant, splendid, wonderful It was a fun time for us girls awful, dreadful, horrible, miserable, sad, terrible
VERB + TIME
have Did you have a good time in Spain?
ADJ
fast record He completed the course in record time
VERB + TIME
clock up, record She clocked up one of the fastest times of the year
ADJ
march, waltz double, quick four-four, three-four, etc.
VERB + TIME
beat, keep The conductor beat time with a baton
PREP
in/out of ~ (to/with) clapping in time to the music