______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Learn more English in a Minute
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
You know 'time'! You go to school at a certain time, check the time on your phone or watch and you know how much time this lesson takes – not long! There are some English phrases with the word 'time' – learn some of them here with Beth.
Phrases with 'time'
times flies (when you're having fun)
time goes very quickly
- We've been here three hours? Wow! Time flies.
in the nick of time
at the last possible moment
- I got on the train right in the nick of time.
pressed for time
not having much time
- I can't stay later than eight tonight. I've got to pick my daughter up from football and I'm a bit pressed for time.
time will tell
you'll find out in the future the result of something happening in the present
- I think she'll get the promotion, but only time will tell.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Download a free transcript!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Beth
A watch, a clock, a timer – let's learn phrases with 'time'.
If time flies, it goes very quickly. The full phrase is 'time flies when you're having fun'.
Have you seen the time? It's six already. Time flies!
In the nick of time means at the last possible moment. We often add the word 'right' or 'just' before it to really emphasise the meaning.
Phew! We'll catch the flight – right in the nick of time.
If you're pressed for time, you don't have much time.
Is this meeting going to be short? I'm a bit pressed for time.
And time will tell means you'll find out in the future the result of something happening in the present. The word 'only' is often put before this phrase.
They always argue. Will they still be married next year? Only time will tell.
Next
Learn another time-related expression - Around the clock - in The English We Speak.
'In the morning' or 'at morning'? Learn prepositions of time.
Latest English in a Minute Series 5
Phrases with 'bone'
Episode 251202 / 02 Dec 2025
You'll love these phrases – I can feel it in my bones!
Phrases with 'cake'
Episode 251125 / 25 Nov 2025
Learning English is a piece of cake with BBC Learning English!
Phrases with 'wind'
Episode 251111 / 11 Nov 2025
It's time to throw caution to the wind and learn some phrases to use with 'wind'.
Phrases with 'pull'
Episode 251021 / 21 Oct 2025
Pull out all the stops and learn four phrases with 'pull' here.
Phrases with 'look'
Episode 250930 / 30 Sep 2025
Look the part with these four expressions with 'look'
Phrases with 'hit'
Episode 250916 / 16 Sep 2025
Learn these phrases this week to hit the ground running next week!
Phrases with 'fire'
Episode 250805 / 05 Aug 2025
Learn these phrases, and you'll be on fire in your English conversations!
Phrases with 'stone'
Episode 250715 / 15 Jul 2025
Leave no stone unturned when it comes to your English study!
Phrases with 'blue'
Episode 250708 / 11 Jul 2025
How many 'blue' phrases do you know? Learn three more here.
Phrases with 'ice'
Episode 250701 / 11 Jul 2025
Don't put your learning on ice – learn these phrases with 'ice' today!
