74 PHRASE If you say that time will tell whether something is true or correct, you mean that it will not be known until some time in the future whether it is true or correct. □ Only time will tell whether Broughton's optimism is justified.
75 PHRASE If you waste no time in doing something, you take the opportunity to do it immediately or quickly. □ Tom wasted no time in telling me why he had come.
76 time and again → see again
77 in the fullness of time → see fullness USAGE time
1
Time
is usually an uncountable noun, so don’t use ‘a’ with it. Don’t say, for example, ‘
2
You don’t usually use ‘time’ when you are saying how long something takes or lasts. Don’t say, for example, ‘
ti me and mo |tion N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] A time and motion study is a study of the way that people do a particular job, or the way they work in a particular place in order to discover the most efficient methods of working.
ti me bomb (time bombs ) also time-bomb
1 N‑COUNT A time bomb is a bomb with a mechanism that causes it to explode at a particular time.
2 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] If you describe something as a time bomb , you mean that it is likely to have a serious effect on a person or situation at a later date, especially if you think it will cause a lot of damage. □ This proposal is a political time bomb that could cost the government the next election.
ti me-consuming also time consuming ADJ If something is time-consuming , it takes a lot of time. □ It's just very time consuming to get such a large quantity of data.
ti me frame (time frames ) N‑COUNT The time frame of an event is the length of time during which it happens or develops. [FORMAL ] □ The time frame within which all this occurred was from September 1985 to March 1986.
ti me-honoured ADJ [ADJ n] A time-honoured tradition or way of doing something is one that has been used and respected for a very long time. □ There is a time-honoured tradition of British actors moving to the US.
time|keeper /ta I mkiːpə r / (timekeepers ) also time-keeper
1 N‑COUNT A timekeeper is a person or an instrument that records or checks the time.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a good timekeeper , you mean that they usually arrive on time for things. If you say that they are a poor timekeeper , you mean that they are often late. [BRIT ]
time|keeping /ta I mkiːp I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [adj N ] If you talk about someone's timekeeping , you are talking about how good they are at arriving in time for things. [BRIT ] □ I am trying to improve my timekeeping.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Timekeeping is the process or activity of timing an event or series of events. □ Who did the timekeeping?
ti me lag (time lags ) also time-lag N‑COUNT [usu sing] A time lag is a fairly long interval of time between one event and another related event that happens after it. □ [+ between ] …the time-lag between theoretical research and practical applications.
time|less /ta I mləs/ ADJ If you describe something as timeless , you mean that it is so good or beautiful that it cannot be affected by changes in society or fashion. □ There is a timeless quality to his best work. ● time|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Maybe it was the trees that gave this place its atmosphere of mystery and timelessness.
ti me lim|it (time limits ) N‑COUNT A time limit is a date before which a particular task must be completed. □ [+ for ] We have extended the time limit for claims until July 30.
time|line /ta I mla I n/ (timelines ) also time line
1 N‑COUNT A timeline is a visual representation of a sequence of events, especially historical events.
2 N‑COUNT A timeline is the length of time that a project is expected to take. □ [+ for ] Use your deadlines to establish the timeline for your research plan.
time|ly /ta I mli/ ADJ A timely event happens at a moment when it is useful, effective, or relevant. [APPROVAL ] □ The recent outbreak is a timely reminder that this disease is a serious health hazard.
ti me ma n|age|ment N‑UNCOUNT Time management is the process of deciding on the order in which you will do tasks, and making sure that they are done on schedule. [BUSINESS ]
ti me ou t (time outs ) also time-out
1 N‑VAR In basketball, American football, ice hockey, and some other sports, when a team calls a time out , they call a stop to the game for a few minutes in order to rest and discuss how they are going to play.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [N to-inf] If you take time out from a job or activity, you have a break from it and do something different instead. □ [+ from ] He took time out from campaigning to accompany his mother to dinner.
time|piece /ta I mpiːs/ (timepieces ) also time piece N‑COUNT A timepiece is a clock, watch, or other device that measures and shows time. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
ti me-poo r ADJ Someone who is time-poor has very little spare time or leisure time.
tim|er /ta I mə r / (timers )
1 N‑COUNT A timer is a device that measures time, especially one that is part of a machine and causes it to start or stop working at specific times. □ …electronic timers that automatically switch on the lights when it gets dark.