Learn 15 time expressions in English! (+ Free PDF & Quiz)

- Hello everyone, and welcome back to "English With Lucy."

Today I have got a vocabulary video for you

on expressions using the word "time."

"In time," "on time."

What's the difference? I will explain.

"Just in time," "in good time," "time off."

We're going to go through everything.

Your vocabulary is going to be so enriched

by the end of this video.

But before we get started,

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You can see here I am having a pretty good time.

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Don't forget to download your free PDF for this lesson.

Alfonso thinks you should definitely do that.

It's got all of the vocabulary and examples,

plus an extra activity that I think you'll really like.

Right, let's get started with the lesson.

So first let's talk about "in time" and "on time."

What are the differences?

We'll start with number one, "on time."

This means at the scheduled time.

Quick note, a lot of students ask me

whether they should say schedule or schedule.

Schedule is considered to be British English,

and schedule is considered to be American English,

but I actually grew up saying schedule.

My mum taught me to say schedule,

so that's what I grew up saying.

I use schedule now for consistency.

Let's say we have a meeting at 10:00 AM,

the meeting was scheduled for 10:00 AM.

I arrived to the meeting at 10:00 AM.

I arrived on time, I arrived at the scheduled time.

Now, what about number two, "in time?"

This means that I arrived before the scheduled time.

The meeting was scheduled for 10:00 AM,

I arrived at 9:30 AM.

I arrived in time to buy a coffee before the meeting.

We have number three, "just in time," "just in time."

This means immediately before the scheduled time.

The meeting was at 10:00 AM, as we all know.

I arrived at 9:59 AM.

I arrived just in time for the meeting, just before.

It can also mean right before it was too late.

The baby was about to fall out of bed,

but his mum arrived just in time,

right before it was too late.

We also have number four, "in good time," "in good time."

There are two meanings that I'm going to discuss with you.

The first is with no risk of being late.

The meeting was at 10, I arrived at 9:45.

I arrived in good time for the 10:00 meeting.

We also use "in good time" as an expression

to tell someone that they should be patient.

It means in due course.

It will happen, but without haste.

We often say "all in good time."

I remember asking my mum when I was a child

on Christmas morning, "When can we open our presents?

When can we open our presents?"

And she would always say,

"All in good time, Lucy, all in good time.

It will happen, but just be patient, stop rushing."

We have number five, which is

"in your own time," "in your own time."

Again, this is another one with two meanings.

The first meaning, at a time and a rate

decided by you, decided by oneself.

We often use this sarcastically

to imply that somebody is taking too long

and they need to hurry up.

For example, "In your own time, Will.

Diego and I have been waiting to go on a walk

for 15 minutes."

Whenever we take Diego on a family walk,

Will always seems to take so long

getting his coat and his boots on, so I often have to say,

"In your own time, at your own pace," sarcastically.

Will is going to be so cross when he sees this video,

because it's actually normally me taking too long. (laughs)

The second meaning is outside of work hours, or unpaid.

For example, you can use social media

in your own time, not at work.

Don't use social media

whilst I'm paying you to do something else.

We also have number six, "about time," "about time."

It's used to say that something should have happened sooner,

and we often say it in an annoyed way.

For example, "It's about time they got married,

they've been engaged for two-and-a-half years!"

Story of my life.

Number seven is "time off," "time off."

And this means time for rest and recreation

away from one's usual studies or work.

For example, "I need to call my boss

and book some time off, some time away from work."

Another really nice phrase is "take your time,"

"take your time," although, like most phrases,

it is often used sarcastically.

It means to not hurry.

For example, "Take your time with the book I lent you,

I don't need it back anytime soon."

If I were to say it sarcastically,

I would imply that somebody

is taking too long with something.

"Take your time, I'll be here all day."

Number nine, a phrase for busy people,

it is "to make time," "to make time."

This means to find an occasion

when time is available to do something.

An example, "I will see if I can make time

to visit the new coffee shop."

I'm implying that I'm very busy,

but I will try and find a time where I can go and visit it.

Number 10, "time will tell," "time will tell."

It means that sooner or later

something will become known or revealed.

For example, "I don't think their relationship will last,

but only time will tell."

Number 11, "time is money," "time is money."

It means that time is a valuable resource,

so it's better to get things done quickly.

An example, "Time is money, Peter,

I need that report finished by tomorrow."

We also have number 12, "to kill time," "to kill time."

And this means to do something

with the goal of making time appear to pass more quickly.

An example, "I can't wait until the party tonight,

I'm going to go for a walk to kill time."

I need to find something to do

so I can feel as if time is passing more quickly.

Number 13, we have "time after time," "time after time."

This means repeatedly, again and again.

An example, "I've told her time after time

to not leave empty milk cartons in the fridge."

Does anyone know anyone who does that?

I used to have a roommate, or a flatmate,

that used to finish milk,

and then put it back in the fridge.

I was like, "What?

When is that ever okay?"

Let me know in the Comments section down below

if you've ever had a nightmare flatmate,

or just lived with someone unbearable.

And if you haven't, it means you might've been them.

(chuckles)

Number 14, "in the nick of time."

This means just in time, right before the scheduled time,

or right before it was too late.

For example, "The police arrived at the scene

in the nick of time, right before it was too late."

And the last one, I've saved a positive one till last,

"a whale of a time," "a whale of a time,"

and this means a really good time.

"We had a whale of a time at the theatre last night.

We had such a good time."

Do you remember theatres? Weren't they nice?

Wow, I did not appreciate things

when I had them pre-lockdown.

Right, that's it for today's lesson.

Don't forget to check out Lingoda,

you can get 20 euros off your first month

by using my code, LUCY13,

when clicking on the link in the description box.

You can also claim your free seven-day trial

with three free classes.

Don't forget to download your free PDF for this lesson.

Alfonso thinks you should definitely do that.

It's got all of the vocabulary and examples,

plus an extra activity that I think you'll really like.

If you want to improve your listening skills,

you can follow my vlogging channel, Lucy Bella,

where I post fully subtitled blogs

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I will see you soon for another lesson.

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