Time-tested phrases
Time flies! Fun idioms that make every second count
Published on November 20, 2025
Image: Aron Visuals
Clocks, alarms, calendars: since ancient times, humans have been finding ways to measure time. And because time plays such a central role in our lives, it’s no surprise that it’s also a key part of our everyday language, often without us even realizing it. From trying to "beat the clock" to learning to "hold our horses" or waiting for something that happens "once in a blue moon," today we’re exploring the origins and meanings of 10 time-related idioms you’ve probably never stopped to think about.
A watched pot never boils
Image: Michal Balog
"She kept pacing while waiting for the test results, but a watched pot never boils."
Remember that class in school that felt like it would never end? The more you watched the clock, the slower the minutes seemed to pass, making time feel like it stood still. That’s exactly when the idiom "a watched pot never boils" fits perfectly, capturing that impatient feeling we get when we’re desperately waiting for something to happen.
Waiting in the wings
Image: Liam McGarry
"With the current mayor nearing retirement, several ambitious candidates are already waiting in the wings."
Theater has given us many of the idioms we use every day, most of them inspired by its traditions and stagecraft. The "wings," for example, are those areas on both sides of the stage, where actors stand before stepping into the spotlight. That’s where the expression "waiting in the wings" comes from; it describes someone who’s ready and poised for the perfect moment to act.
Time is money
Image: Kevin Ku
"Don’t waste your morning scrolling through social media. Remember: time is money."
There’s one thing humanity has tried for ages but still hasn’t been able to achieve: turning back time. You can regret the past or wish with all your heart to relive it, but once time is gone, it’s gone. That’s where the popular saying "time is money" comes in, reminding us of the value of time and why we should use it wisely. Often credited to the brilliant Benjamin Franklin, it’s a phrase nearly everyone has heard or used at some point.
A stitch in time saves nine
Image: Kateryna Shevchenko
"I told my friend to see a doctor when her cold started, because a stitch in time saves nine."
Originating from the world of sewing—where a quick stitch can stop a small tear from turning into a big rip—this idiom reminds us that the sooner we deal with a problem, the easier it is to fix. Do you live by that rule, or are you the type who waits until the hole in your shirt becomes impossible to ignore?
Once in a blue moon
Image: Kym MacKinnonv
"We go to the beach together once in a blue moon, but it’s always special."
In astronomy, a blue moon refers to the second full moon in a single calendar month. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the moon’s color. Since this event happens only about once every two or three years, the expression "once in a blue moon" is used to describe something that occurs very rarely—or almost never.
Beat the clock
Image: Andy Beales
"The firefighters beat the clock and stopped the flames from spreading."
You wake up at 8:15 and need to be at the office by 9. If you actually make it, you can proudly say you "beat the clock." This expression, meaning to finish something just in time or before a deadline, likely originated in the world of sports, especially racing. But it really became popular thanks to the TV game show Beat the Clock, where contestants had to complete fun challenges before time ran out.
A whale of a time
Image: Mayte Garcia Llorente
"Grandpa had a whale of a time telling us his old adventure stories."
We’ve all had that moment after a fun night out with friends when you get home, smile to yourself, and think about how great the event was. That’s when you can say you had "a whale of a time." This expression dates back to the 19th century and uses the whale’s enormous size as a metaphor for the big, unforgettable experience you’ve just had.
Hold your horses
Image: Kimberly Archambault
"I know you’re excited about the trip, but hold your horses until we finish packing."
You don’t have to live in the countryside to know that when you’re riding a horse or driving a cart, you need to pull on the reins to slow down or stop. That’s exactly what this idiom is about: patience and self-control. When someone tells you to "hold your horses," they’re suggesting that you should wait a moment or proceed more carefully in a situation.
The time is ripe
Image: Rosario Fernandes
"She felt the time was ripe to tell her family about her plans."
No matter how hungry you are, if you take that delicious pie out of the oven too soon, it probably won’t turn out right. Sometimes, it’s better to wait for the perfect moment. Just like when harvesting fruit, you wait until it’s fully ripe before picking it. That’s exactly what the idiom "the time is ripe" communicates: it’s the right moment to take action.
Hang fire
Image: Petra Reid
"I’ll hang fire on making my decision until I’ve spoken with everyone involved."
Back in the 17th century, things weren’t like they are today; even firearms worked differently. Flintlock guns, for example, sometimes had a delay between pulling the trigger and the bullet firing. This specific malfunction gave rise to the idiom "hang fire," which refers to any situation or person that is delayed or hesitant.
