Talking About Time In English - 30 Time Phrases - Everyday English Expressions

用英语谈论时间 - 30 个时间短语 - 日常英语表达

Have you got a few minutes of free time? Rather than killing time playing games, let’s have a whale of a time learning 30 time-related idioms.

你有几分钟的空闲时间吗？与其在玩游戏上消磨时间，不如让我们花时间学习 30 个与时间相关的习语。

These are phrases that are used in everyday situations, formal and informal so it’s good to be familiar with them.

这些是在日常情况下使用的短语，正式的和非正式的，所以熟悉它们是很好的。

This lesson is sponsored by Lingoda but more about them later as it’s high time we started on the list! 
Let's go!

本课由 Lingoda 赞助，但稍后会详细介绍，因为现在是我们开始列入名单的时候了！我们走吧！

1. It’s high time
. This phrase can be used to say that it is time to do something that should have happened a long time ago.

1.是时候了。这句话可以用来表示是时候做一些早就应该发生的事情了。

“You’ve been struggling with your Maths homework for months. It’s high time we got you a tutor.”

“几个月来，你一直在为数学作业而苦苦挣扎。是时候给你找个家教了。”

2. Against the clock
 If you’re doing something “against the clock”, you are doing it as quickly as possible in order to meet a deadline.

2. 不分时间 如果你在做“不分时间”的事情，你会尽可能快地做，以赶上最后期限。

“The party guests will arrive at 6pm so we’re working against the clock to get everything ready in time. Quick!”

“派对客人将在下午 6 点到达，所以我们正在争分夺秒地工作，以便及时准备好一切。快的！”

3. The eleventh hour
. If something happens ‘at the eleventh hour’, that means it happens at the last possible moment.

3. 第十一个小时。如果某事发生在“最后一刻”，这意味着它发生在最后可能的时刻。

“I found that question really difficult but I remembered the answer at the eleventh hour, just before the exam finished.”

“我觉得这道题真的很难，但我在最后一刻记住了答案，就在考试结束前。”

4. To make up for lost time
. To do something faster or more often in order to compensate for not having done it quickly enough or often enough is known as ‘making up for lost time’.

4.弥补失去的时间。更快或更频繁地做某事以弥补没有足够快或足够频繁地做某事被称为“弥补失去的时间”。

Many of us, because of the pandemic, are now making up for lost time because of all the things we missed.

由于大流行，我们中的许多人现在正在弥补由于我们错过的所有事情而失去的时间。

“We didn’t get to see family much last year so this year, I hope to make up for lost time and spend lots of time with them.”

“去年我们很少见到家人，所以今年，我希望能弥补失去的时间，多陪陪他们。”

5. In the nick of time
. To do something ‘in the nick of time’, means to do it just in time.

5. 紧要关头。 “在关键时刻”做某事，意味着及时做。

“We almost missed the train but we got here in the nick of time. That was close.”

“我们差点没赶上火车，但我们及时赶到了这里。那很接近了。”

6. The ship has sailed
. We use this phrase informally to discuss an opportunity which has passed or a situation which can no longer be changed.

6. 船已经开航了。我们非正式地使用这个短语来讨论已经过去的机会或无法再改变的情况。

“I thought about running a marathon this year but I haven’t done any training so that ship has sailed.”

“我想过今年跑马拉松，但我没有做任何训练，所以这艘船已经航行了。”

And on the subject of running, Lingoda are running their Language Sprint again soon, so don’t delay if you are keen to challenge yourself to three months of language learning with the opportunity of getting 50% or even 100% cashback as a reward for completing.

在跑步方面，Lingoda 很快将再次运行他们的语言冲刺，所以如果你热衷于挑战自己三个月的语言学习，并有机会获得 50% 甚至 100% 的现金返还作为奖励，请不要拖延完成。

Now when it comes to teaching languages Lingoda are a top-notch provider, teaching English, Business English, German, Spanish, and French to over 70,000 students worldwide.

现在，在语言教学方面，Lingoda 是一流的提供商，为全球 70,000 多名学生教授英语、商务英语、德语、西班牙语和法语。

They provide small group classes with qualified teachers and interactive curriculum, 24/7.

他们提供具有合格教师和互动课程的小组课程，24/7。

This is the last sprint of 2021, so if you want to make some meaningful progress with your language learning this year

这是 2021 年的最后一个冲刺，所以如果你想在今年的语言学习上取得一些有意义的进步，

then why not take the challenge and motivate yourself with the cash back reward.

那么为什么不接受挑战并用现金返还奖励来激励自己。

How does it work? Well if you think you are up to the challenge of an intensive language course then you click the link below and sign up.

它是如何工作的？好吧，如果您认为自己能够应对强化语言课程的挑战，那么请单击下面的链接并注册。

Sign up must happen before the 15th Oct ready to begin work on October 31st.

注册必须在 10 月 15 日之前进行，准备在 10 月 31 日开始工作。

Now, you can take the Sprint, which means you need to attend 15 classes a month over 3 months and if you complete all those classes you get 50% cashback

现在，您可以参加 Sprint，这意味着您需要在 3 个月内每月参加 15 节课，如果您完成所有这些课程，您将获得 50% 的现金返还

OR Take the SUPER Sprint, which means you attend 30 classes a month for 3 months and if you do that you'll get 100% cash back.

或参加 SUPER Sprint，这意味着您在 3 个月内每月参加 30 节课如果您这样做，您将获得 100% 的现金返还。

Learning language intensely in short bursts is highly effective, all you need is the burning desire to improve.

在短时间内集中学习语言是非常有效的，你所需要的只是提高的强烈愿望。

So are you ready to be a champion? Then hurry, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE (ah that's another time phrase. This phrase is used when something must be done immediately).

那么你准备好成为冠军了吗？然后快点，时间就是本质（啊，这是另一个时间短语。当必须立即做某事时使用此短语）。

Sign-up with my link and the voucher code CHAMP14 that provides a €20 discount on the deposit. And Don’t forget to check out their FAQ session before joining! Good luck!

使用我的链接和优惠券代码 CHAMP14 注册，可享受 20 欧元的押金折扣。并且不要忘记在加入之前查看他们的常见问题解答会议！祝你好运！

7. Around the clock. 
If something is done ‘around the clock’, then it is done all day and all night without stopping.

7. 全天候。如果某件事是“全天候”完成的，那么它就会日夜不停地进行。

“Oh yes. We have around the clock security. Noboby's getting into this place.”

“哦是的。我们有全天候的保安。没有人会进入这个地方。”

8. To call it a day. 
This means to decide to stop doing something, either permanently or for a while depending on the context.

8. 收工。这意味着根据上下文决定永久或暂时停止做某事。

“I’m too tired to finish my homework so I’m going to call it a day and finish it tomorrow.”

“我太累了，无法完成作业，所以我要收工了，明天再完成。”

9. In the blink of an eye. 
If something happens ‘in the blink of an eye’ then it happens very quickly, just like a blink.

9. 眨眼之间。如果某件事发生在“眨眼之间”，那么它就会发生得非常快，就像眨眼一样。

“A calculator can solve the maths problem in the blink of an eye.”

“一个计算器可以在眨眼间解决数学问题。”

10. To kill time
. This phrase is used informally and it means to spend time doing something unimportant, particularly when waiting for something.

10.消磨时间。这个短语被非正式地使用，它的意思是花时间做一些不重要的事情，特别是在等待某事时。

“Yes, we’ll go shopping at the airport to kill time before the flight.”

“是的，我们会在航班起飞前去机场购物以打发时间。”

11. Like clockwork
. If something happens ‘like clockwork’, then it happens very smoothly and easily.

11.喜欢发条。如果某事发生“像发条一样”，那么它就会非常顺利和轻松地发生。

“The presentation ran like clockwork. Everyone was very happy.”

“演讲就像发条一样。大家都很开心。”

12. On the dot
. This is an informal phrase which means exactly on time.
“She starts work at 9am on the dot. Not 9.03am.”

12. 在点上。这是一个非正式的短语，意思是准时。 “她早上 9 点开始工作。不是上午 9.03。”

13. To do time (to serve time). 
This is a colloquial term meaning to be in prison.

13.做时间（to service time）。这是一个口语术语，意思是在监狱里。

“He’s doing time for money laundering.”

“他正在花时间洗钱。”

14. To turn back time
. To ‘turn back time’ means to recreate, remember, or imagine things as they were before.

14.时光倒流。 “时光倒流”意味着重新创造、记住或想象事物的原貌。

“I like to reminisce while looking through old photographs, but I do wish I could just turn back time.”

“我喜欢在翻看旧照片的同时回忆，但我确实希望我能时光倒流。”

15. To have a whale of a time
. This means to have a brilliant time, to really enjoy oneself.

15. 有一个时间的鲸鱼。这意味着有一个辉煌的时间，真正享受自己。

“I had a whale of a time learning to ski, until I broke my leg.”

“我有一段时间学习滑雪，直到我摔断了腿。”

16. To lose track of the time
. To ‘lose track of the time’ means to be unaware of how much time has passed, or to not be sure of what the time is.

16.忘记时间。 “忘记时间”意味着不知道已经过去了多少时间，或者不确定时间是什么时候。

“I’m so sorry I’m late. I lost track of the time!”

“我很抱歉我迟到了。我记错时间了！”

17. Free time. 
‘Free time’ refers to time available for hobbies and activities you enjoy.

17. 空闲时间。 “空闲时间”是指可用于您喜欢的爱好和活动的时间。

“In my free time, I like to play football. What do you like to do?"

“在空闲时间，我喜欢踢足球。你喜欢做什么？”

18. Spur of the moment
. Something done in the ‘spur of the moment’ is done impulsively, without planning in advance.

18. 一时冲动。在“一时冲动”中做的事情是冲动的，没有事先计划。

“We aren’t going to Argentina now, instead we’re going to Switzerland! Don’t ask me why, it was a spur of the moment decision.”

“我们现在不去阿根廷，相反，我们要去瑞士！别问我为什么，这是一时冲动的决定。”

19. Behind the times
. If something is ‘behind the times’, it is not using the latest technology, ideas or techniques. It could also be referred to as ‘out of date’.

19. 落后于时代。如果某事'落后于时代'，则不是使用最新的技术、思想或技术。也可以称为'过时'。

“This library is so behind the times. They don’t even have a computer!”

“这个图书馆太落后了。他们连电脑都没有！”

20. To hit the big time
. This is an idiomatic phrase which means to become very successful or famous.

20. To hit the big time 。这是一个惯用语，意思是变得非常成功或出名。

“She hit the big time and got a part in a very successful film after years of hard work.”

“经过多年的努力，她成功了，并参与了一部非常成功的电影。”

21. Hour of need. 
An ‘hour of need’ is a time when most help is needed.

21. 需要的时间。 “ 需要的时间”是最需要帮助的时间。

“Thank you so much for helping us in our hour of need.”

“非常感谢您在我们需要的时候帮助我们。”

22. A laugh a minute. 
You could use this phrase to describe someone who is very funny.

22. 一笑一笑。你可以用这个短语来形容一个非常有趣的人。

“John’s great. He’s a laugh a minute, so funny.”

“约翰很棒。他一分钟笑一笑，太有趣了。”

23. Like there’s no tomorrow
. To do something ‘like there’s no tomorrow’ means to do it in a quick or careless way without considering the future.

23. 就像没有明天一样。做某事'就像没有明天'意味着不考虑未来以快速或粗心的方式去做。

“He’s spending money like there’s no tomorrow!”

“他花钱就像没有明天一样！”

24. Long time no see
. This is informally used as a greeting to mean ‘it’s a long time since we last met’.

24. 好久不见。这是非正式的问候语，意思是“我们上次见面已经 很久 了”。

“Christopher, long time no see!”

“克里斯托弗，好久不见！”

25. A mile a minute. 
If something is happening ‘a mile a minute’, it is happening at a very fast rate.

25. 一英里一分钟。如果某事“一分钟一英里”发生，它发生的速度非常快。

“I can barely understand Connor because he talks a mile a minute.”

“我几乎无法理解康纳，因为他每分钟说一英里。”

26. Now and then
If something happens ‘now and then’, it happens occasionally.

26. 时不时如果某事“时不时地 ” 发生，它偶尔会发生。 “我很少见到她，但我们

“I don’t see her much but we go for coffee now and then.”

时不时地 去喝杯咖啡。”

27. The moment of truth. 
A time when a person or thing is tested, a decision has to be made, or a crisis has to be faced might be referred to as ‘the moment of truth’.

27.当一个人或东西是验证的真理。一时间的时刻，决定要作出或危机要面对的 。“ 格雷斯已经花了几个小时烘烤

“Grace has spent hours baking the perfect cake, but now it is the moment of truth: time to taste it.”

“关键时刻”可能被称为 完美的蛋糕，但现在是关键时刻：品尝它的时候了。”

28. To have too much time on one’s hands. 
To have ‘too much time on your hands’ means to have lots of extra time. We often use this phrase to describe someone who is engaged in unhelpful or useless activities.

28. To have too much time on one's hand。“too much time on your hands”意味着有很多额外的时间。我们经常用这句话来形容某人从事无益或无用的活动。

“She’s such a gossip. She obviously has far too much time on her hands.”

“她就是这样一个人。八卦。显然她手头上的时间太多了。

29. Once in a blue moon This means it rarely happens.

29. 一次在蓝色的月亮 这意味着它很少发生。

“I don’t speak to my old uni mates these days. I mean Fernando will call me for a catch-up once in a blue moon, but apart from that we have all lost touch.”

“这些天我不和我的老同学说话。我的意思是费尔南多会在蓝色的月亮里打电话给我追赶一次，但除此之外我们还有都失去了联系。”

30. Donkey’s years
. ‘Donkey’s years’ is an informal way of saying a long time.

30. Donkey's years 'Donkey's years' 是很长一段时间的非正式说法。

“Adam and I have been friends for donkey’s years!”

“Adam 和我是驴年的朋友！”

So there we have 30 time-related idioms for you to drop into conversation.

所以我们有 30 个与时间相关的成语供你讨论。

If you can think of any time-related idioms then please put them in the comments section for everyone to enjoy!

如果你能想到任何与时间相关的成语，请把它们放在评论部分让大家欣赏！

Now if you are going to take that Lingoda language challenge don't delay time is of the essence. Go and sign up using my link and voucher code below

现在如果你要接受 Lingoda 语言挑战不要拖延时间是至关重要的。请使用下面的链接和优惠券代码进行注册

and if you'd like to double-check your knowledge from what you've learned today then I have interactive activities available on my blog page.

，如果您想从今天学到的内容中仔细检查您的知识，那么我的博客页面上提供了互动活动.

I'll put all the links to everything you need in the description until next time take care, bye!

我会把所有你需要的东西的链接都放在说明里，直到下次保重，再见！