Idioms: Time Expressions
Time expressions idioms is the B1–B2 collection of fixed phrases that mark temporal relationships. In the nick of time (just in time), at the eleventh hour (very late), better late than never, time will tell (we’ll see in the future), out of the blue (unexpectedly), once in a blue moon (very rarely), for the time being (temporarily), in this day and age (currently), as time goes by (with passing time), make up for lost time (compensate for delay). Learners build the time-idiom range.
This worksheet builds B1–B2 fluency with time-expression idioms.
Worksheet preview
What’s inside:
- An idiom bank with 18 time expressions
- Matching task: idiom to meaning
- Gap-fill in temporal narrative contexts
- Production task: describe a recent event using three time idioms
- Full Answer Key plus Teacher Notes
Common challenges: Temporal-precision at B1–B2: in the nick of time (just barely in time) vs at the eleventh hour (very late but still in time) — slightly different meanings. Once in a blue moon (very rare) vs every now and then (occasionally). Frequency: out of the blue (very high), in this day and age (medium-formal).
For: Adult and teenage learners (14+) at CEFR B1–B2, in intermediate and upper-intermediate classes, 1:1 lessons, or self-study. Maps onto Cambridge B2 First (FCE) Reading-Use of English. Part of the Time, Work & Money Idioms collection — the natural next step is Idioms: Business and Work.
