• Better Late Than Never (досл. Краще пізно, ніж ніколи)
This idiom is simple but effective. It implies (розуміти) that a belated (запізнілий) achievement (успіх) is better than not reaching a goal (мета) at all.
One might say, “The achievement is long overdue (запізнілий), but it’s better late than never.”
• On the Spur of the Moment (досл. На вершині моменту — Під впливом хвилини)
This popular saying denotes (позначати) a spontaneous (спонтанний, непідготовлений) or sudden (раптовий) зобов’язання (справа).
For example, “Linda and Louis drove to the beach on the spur of the moment.”
• Once in a Blue Moon (досл. Одного разу при синьою місяці — Коли рак на горі свисне)
A blue moon is a colloquial (розмовна) term applied (використовуваний) to the second full moon in one month. This idiom means something is rare (рідкісний) or infrequent (нечасто).
For example, “Homebodies (домосіди) Mary and James only go out once in a blue moon.”
• Living on Borrowed Time (досл. Живе в запозиченому часу — Жити в борг)
Following an illness or near-death experience (досвід, випробування), many people believe they have cheated (обманювати) death.
Here’s an example: “After Jim was struck (бити) by lightning (блискавка), he felt like he was living on borrowed time.”
• In the Interim (досл. У проміжку — Тим часом)
This frequently (часто) used phrase is interchangeable (взаємозамінний) with “in the meantime (тим часом),” which is another time-related saying. It denotes (позначати) a period of time between something that ended and something that happened afterwards (пізніше).
• In Broad Daylight (досл. У широкому денному світлі — Серед білого дня)
When something occurs (відбуватися) in broad daylight, it means the event is clearly visible (видимий).
Here’s an example: “Two coyotes brazenly (нагло) walked across the lawn (лужйка) in broad daylight.”
• Against the Clock (досл. Проти годинникової стрілки — Поспішати щось зробити вчасно)
This common (простий) idiom means time is working against a project or plan instigated (провокується) by a group or an individual (одна людина, індивідуум).
For example, “In movies, writers love to create countdowns where the main characters are working against the clock.”
• All in Good Time (досл. Все в гарний час — Все в свій час)
Patience (терпіння) is an uncommon virtue (гідність, чеснота). When individuals are inpatient, friends often assure (запевняти) them things that will happen eventually (в кінці кінців).
• Big Time (досл. Великий час — Великий успіх, Серйозний, Великий)
This versatile (універсальний), informal idiom is used to denote (позначати) something of extreme severity (серйозність).
For example, “When he landed (досягати) the position as vice president, he knew he had reached the big time.”
• The Time is Ripe (досл. Час настав — Час настав)
When the time is ripe, it’s advantageous (вигода) to undertake (робити) plans that have been waiting for awhile (деякий час).
Here’s an example: “Raphael was planning a trip overseas (за кордон), and the time was finally ripe.”
• Have the Time of Your Life (досл. Мати час твоєму житті — Найкращий час твого життя)
The 1980s movie Dirty Dancing turned this idiom into a song that became one of the film’s most iconic (культовий) tracks.
For example, “Genevieve had the time of her life touring (здійснюючи поїздку) Italy.”
• Time is Money (досл. Час — гроші)
If time is going to waste (витрачати), money isn’t being made. This popular idiom attributed (приписувати) to Ben Franklin is frequently (часто)
used in relation to business or employment (робота).
Here’s an example: “it’s wise to use every minute productively because time is money.”