time-table

The teacher writes the time-table on the classroom board.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A schedule of times: A "time-table" is a list or plan of the times when events, activities, or tasks are intended to take place. It is commonly used for transportation (e.g., trains, buses), school classes, or work schedules.
   • A structured plan: It can also refer to any organized arrangement of time for a project, course, or series of events.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The train time-table shows that the next departure is at 3:15 PM. (A schedule of train arrival and departure times.)
  • She checked her class time-table to find the room for her history lecture. (A list of class times and locations.)
  • The project time-table includes deadlines for each phase of the work. (A plan of scheduled tasks and milestones.)

Advanced Usage

• "to keep to a time-table": to follow a schedule strictly.

  • The team kept to the time-table and finished the project on time. (They adhered to the planned schedule.)

• "to work to a time-table": to operate or plan according to a fixed schedule.

  • The event planners worked to a tight time-table to ensure everything was ready. (They followed a precise schedule.)

Variants and Related Words

• Timetable (n): a common variant spelling (without hyphen) meaning the same as "time-table".

  • The airline's timetable was updated for the summer season. (The schedule of flights.)

• Timely (adj): happening at the right time; opportune.

  • The timely arrival of the ambulance saved his life. (Happening at a suitable moment.)

Synonyms

• Schedule: a plan of times for events or tasks.
• Agenda: a list of items to be discussed or done at a meeting, but can also refer to a time plan.
• Calendar: a system for organizing days, often used for appointments or events.

Related Idioms

• "ahead of schedule": earlier than planned.

  • The train arrived ahead of schedule. (Earlier than the time-table indicated.)

• "behind schedule": later than planned.

  • The construction is behind schedule due to bad weather. (Not meeting the time-table.)

Phrasal Verbs

• "to time-table something": to plan or schedule something.

  • We need to time-table the meetings for next month. (To arrange the times for meetings.)

• "to stick to the time-table": to follow the schedule without deviation.

  • Please stick to the time-table for the exam sessions. (Adhere to the planned times.)