in time
Adverb:
- Without being late; before a deadline or expected time: Refers to arriving or occurring before it is too late for a specific purpose.
- Eventually; after some period has passed: Refers to something happening after an unspecified amount of time in the future.
Noun Phrase (used with 'in'):
- In synchronization with a rhythm or beat: Refers to moving, playing, or occurring at the correct tempo and rhythm of music or a metronome.
Adverb (Punctuality):
- The ambulance arrived in time to save the patient.
- Submit your application in time for the early decision deadline.
Adverb (Eventually):
- You will understand the lesson in time.
- In time, the wound healed.
Noun Phrase (Synchronization):
- The drummer kept the band in time.
- Tap your foot in time with the music.
"Just in time": A common phrase emphasizing punctuality at the last possible moment before it is too late.
- The train pulled in, and I boarded just in time.
"In time to + verb": Used to indicate punctuality for a specific action.
- We woke up in time to see the sunrise.
"In time for + noun": Used to indicate punctuality for an event.
- She finished the report in time for the meeting.
On time: Punctually at a scheduled time (differs from in time, which means before a deadline).
- The meeting started on time at 9:00 AM.
Keep time: To maintain a steady rhythm or tempo.
- A good conductor helps the orchestra keep time.
Time: The base noun from which the phrase is derived, referring to the indefinite continued progress of existence or a specific point or period.
- Adverb (Punctuality): Before the deadline, early enough, punctually.
- Adverb (Eventually): Sooner or later, ultimately, in the long run, finally.
- Noun Phrase (Synchronization): In rhythm, to the beat, in step, in tempo.
- Adverb (Punctuality): Too late, belatedly.
- Adverb (Eventually): Never, immediately, at once.
- Noun Phrase (Synchronization): Out of time, off beat.
In the nick of time: At the last possible moment.
- The firemen arrived in the nick of time.
A race against time: A situation where one must work very fast to finish before a deadline.
- Completing the rescue was a race against time.
Mark time: To make marching movements without advancing; to wait without making progress.
- The soldiers were ordered to mark time.
- without being tardy
- we made it to the party in time
- within an indefinite time or at an unspecified future time
- he longed for the flowers that were yet to show themselves
- sooner or later you will have to face the facts
- in time they came to accept the harsh reality
- in the correct rhythm
- the dancers moved in time with the music