# Time & Frequency Upper Intermediate

https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/idioms-expressions-b2-time-and-frequency-vocab

- CEFR: B2 (Upper-intermediate)
- Theme: Idioms & Expressions
- Words: 16
- Premium: no
- Locked: no

Time and frequency idioms for talking about deadlines and timing under pressure, with phrases like the eleventh hour, on borrowed time and behind the times.

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## Word list

* **against the clock**: Racing to finish something before a deadline runs out. — “The rescue team worked **against the clock** to find survivors.”
* **beat the clock**: To finish a task successfully before a time limit runs out. — “The chef **beat the clock** and served the final dish right on cue.”
* **in the blink of an eye**: Extremely quickly, almost instantly. — “The whole building disappeared **in the blink of an eye**.”
* **back in the day**: Referring to an earlier period in the past, often with a hint of nostalgia. — “**Back in the day**, we didn't even have mobile phones.”
* **the eleventh hour**: The very last possible moment before a deadline or event. — “A deal was reached at **the eleventh hour**, avoiding the strike.”
* **time is money**: A well-known saying meaning that wasting hours costs you just as much as wasting cash. — “Hurry up — **time is money** in this business.”
* **in due course**: At the appropriate time in the future, without needing to rush. — “Your results will be sent to you **in due course**.”
* **ahead of your time**: Having ideas or methods that are more advanced than typical for the period you live in. — “Her design was **ahead of its time** by decades.”
* **behind the times**: Not aware of or using modern ideas and methods, old-fashioned. — “This office is a bit **behind the times** with all this paperwork.”
* **on borrowed time**: Continuing to exist or work longer than expected, likely to end or fail soon. — “That old car is running **on borrowed time**.”
* **strike while the iron is hot**: To act while conditions are still favourable. — “Orders are up, so **strike while the iron is hot** and hire now.”
* **bide your time**: To wait patiently for the right moment. — “She chose to **bide your time** until the contract came up.”
* **call time on something**: To decide that something has come to an end. — “The board finally decided to **call time on something** in June.”
* **the small hours**: The hours just after midnight. — “The argument ran into **the small hours** and settled nothing.”
* **someone's days are numbered**: Something or someone will not last much longer. — “Everyone could see that **someone's days are numbered** at the club.”
* **third time lucky**: Said when a third attempt finally succeeds. — “The engine started on the third pull, so **third time lucky**.”

## Related

- Vocabulary library: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary
- Section guide: https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/llms.txt