# Time & Frequency Advanced

https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/idioms-expressions-c1-time-and-frequency-vocab

- CEFR: C1 (Advanced)
- Theme: Idioms & Expressions
- Words: 20
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Time and frequency idioms for describing pressure and deadlines, with phrases like time is of the essence, pressed for time and a stopgap.

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## Word list

* **the sands of time**: A poetic way of describing the passing of the years, especially as they slip away. — “**The sands of time** had softened even her sharpest memories.”
* **time waits for no one**: A saying warning that delay is costly, because the hours pass regardless of what anyone does. — “Start today — **time waits for no one**.”
* **a window of opportunity**: A brief period during which something becomes possible, before the chance disappears. — “There's **a window of opportunity** to apply before the deadline closes.”
* **run out of time**: To have no remaining opportunity to finish something before a deadline. — “They **ran out of time** before completing the final question.”
* **buy some time**: To delay something on purpose in order to have longer to prepare or decide. — “He asked for an extension just to **buy some time**.”
* **time is of the essence**: A formal way of saying that acting quickly is absolutely essential. — “Please respond today — **time is of the essence**.”
* **pressed for time**: Having hardly any spare moment left, and in a hurry. — “I can't chat now — I'm really **pressed for time**.”
* **not before time**: Said when something happens later than it should have, meaning it was overdue. — “They finally fixed the road — **not before time**, if you ask me.”
* **it's high time**: Said to mean that something should happen now because it is already overdue. — “**It's high time** we cleaned out this garage.”
* **time on your hands**: Having free hours available, often more than you actually need. — “Since retiring, he's had a lot of **time on his hands**.”
* **at a moment's notice**: With no warning at all. — “She can be on a plane **at a moment's notice** and often is.”
* **on the spur of the moment**: Suddenly, without any planning. — “They bought the boat **on the spur of the moment** and regretted it.”
* **a stopgap**: A temporary solution until a proper one is found. — “The portacabin was **a stopgap** and it stood for eleven years.”
* **a stay of execution**: A delay before something bad happens. — “The grant bought **a stay of execution** and nothing more.”
* **in hindsight**: Looking back, knowing what happened afterwards. — “**In hindsight** the warning signs were all in the first report.”
* **ahead of schedule**: Earlier than the time that was planned. — “The whole build came in **ahead of schedule** for once.”
* **the crack of dawn**: Very early in the morning. — “He is up at **the crack of dawn** whatever time he went to bed.”
* **the witching hour**: The middle of the night, when strange things happen. — “The place is ordinary until **the witching hour**, they say.”
* **a red-letter day**: A day that is special and memorable. — “The opening was **a red-letter day** for the whole village.”
* **in the interim**: In the period between two events. — “**In the interim** the office was run by whoever turned up.”

## Related

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