Time Idioms and Expressions | ESL Time Phrases | Business English | English Quiz Time

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Time Expressions and Idioms Quiz

1. out of time

Out of time means that there is no more time left to do something. The time limit or deadline has been reached.

*’Please stop writing. You are out of time. The exam has finished.'

2. save time

We save time when we do something the quick way.

*’We will save time if we drive instead of taking the bus.'

3. on time

to be on time means not to be late. You arrive at the right time.

*’The trains always run on time in my country. They are never late.'

4. time flies

This common idiom means that time passes quickly.

*’Time flies when you are having fun.'

5. a waste of time

A waste of time refers to anything that is not a useful way to spend your time. Doing something pointless or useless.

*It's a waste of time calling that company. They never answer the telephones.'

6. a hard time

To have a hard time means to do something that is difficult or to suffer hardship.

*’She's had a hard time recently; she lost her job and then her mother died.'
'I had a hard time trying to find this place. The directions you gave me were terrible!'

7. time off

Time off means to take a holiday from work.

*’You are working too much. You need to take some time off.'

8. kill time

To kill time means to do something that is not very interesting or important to pass time. We usually use to kill time when we are waiting for something that will take place later.

*’We've got 4 hours until our flight leaves. What are we going to do until then? How are we going to kill time?'