time
noun uk/taɪm/ us/taɪm/
(MINUTES/DAYS/YEARS)
A2 [ U ]时间
the part of existence that is measured in minutes, days, years, etc., or this process considered as a whole
He wants to spend more time with his family. 他想多花时间陪家人。
Time passes so quickly when you're having fun. 玩得高兴时，时间过得特别快。
She grew more and more fascinated by the subject as time went on/by. 随着时间的推移，她对这门学科越来越着迷。
The curtains have faded over/with time (= as years have gone past). 年深日久，窗帘已经褪色了。
You'll forget her in time (= in the future). 你迟早会忘记她的。
Over the course of time (= as years have gone past), holes have formed in the rock. 随着岁月的流逝，岩石上出现了洞眼。
When Paula was ill, I took her some magazines to help her pass the time. 葆拉生病时，我给她带去一些杂志帮她消磨时间。
If you'd taken more time with/over (= spent more time doing) this essay, you could have done it much better. 如果你在这篇文章上多花些时间，本可以写得好得多。
It takes a long time (= many hours are needed) to get from London to Sydney. 从伦敦到悉尼要花很长时间。
We'd save time on our journey (= it would be quicker) if we went by train. 如果我们坐火车去，就会在旅程上节约时间。
I only worked there for a short period of time. 我只在那儿工作过很短一段时间。
The kitchen clock is gaining/losing time (= is going fast/slow). 厨房的钟快／慢了。
My watch has never kept very good time (= been correct). 我的手表从来都不准。
all the timeA2 不停，一直
continuously
I wish you'd stop criticizing me all the time. 我希望你别再没完没了地批评我了。
in no timeC1 (also in next to no time) 很快，马上，立刻
very quickly or very soon
The kids ate their dinner in no time. 孩子们很快吃完了饭。
We'll be home in next to no time. 我们很快就能回到家。
no time to lose 没时间耽搁
If you say there is or that you have no time to lose, it means that you must do quickly whatever it is that you want to do.
Come on, there's no time to lose, we have to get home before John finds out. 赶快，没有时间耽搁了，我们必须在约翰发现之前赶到家。
for all timeliterary 总是，永远
always
I will love you for all time. 我会永远爱你。
of all time 有史以来
that has ever lived or existed
She's been called the greatest singer of all time. 她被称为有史以来最伟大的演唱家。
- More examples
- I'd like some time to consider before I make a decision.
- If we cut across the field, it'll save time.
- She spends a good deal of her time in Glasgow.
- How much time do you allow yourself to get ready in the morning?
- A considerable amount of time and effort has gone into this exhibition.
(SYSTEM)
C1 [ U ]（世界各地不同的）计时体系
the system of recording hours used in different parts of the world
Greenwich Mean Time 格林尼治标准时间
daylight saving time 夏令时
(TIME AVAILABLE)
（可以用来做某事的）时间
an amount of time that you have available to do something
I don't know how you find time to do all the things you do. 我不知道你是怎么抽出时间做所有这些事情的。
I thought we'd give her a little more time (= allow her more time) to get the job done. 我原以为我们会多给她一点儿时间完成工作。
I'd like to visit all the museums but time is short (= there is little time left). 所有的博物馆我都想参观，可时间不够。
have timeB1 有时间
If you have time, you have enough time to do something.
We don't have much time before the train leaves. 在火车发车之前我们的时间不多了。
Do you have time for a quick drink after work? 下班后你有没有时间小酌一杯？
I'd like to learn to sail, but I don't have the time (= I am too busy). 我想学驾帆船，可我没时间。
[ + to infinitive ] I don't have time to go to the shops today. 我今天没有时间去商店购物。
waste timeA2 浪费时间
to not make good use of the hours, etc. that you have available
If you'd done your work instead of wasting time on your phone, you'd be finished by now. 如果你当时继续工作而不是浪费时间玩手机，你现在已经完成任务了。
run out of timeB1 时间不够
to not have enough hours, etc. available to finish something you are trying to do
She ran out of time and didn't finish the last question. 她时间不够，最后一道题没有答完。
be (all) out of time 没有足够的时间
to not have enough minutes, etc. available
I'd like to continue this discussion but we're all out of time. 我很想继续讨论，但我们的时间不够。
time's upinformal 时间到了
there are no more minutes, hours, etc. available
OK, everyone, time's up for this week. 好了，各位，这星期的就到这里。
time added on UK (also injury time, stoppage time)（足球比赛）伤停补时阶段
a period of time added to the end of a football match because play was stopped during the game, usually to take care of players who were hurt
His goal in the third minute of time added on sealed the match. 他在比赛伤停补时阶段的第三分钟射进一球，决定了比赛的胜利。
(PERIOD)
A2 [ S or U ]一段时间
a particular period of time for which something has been happening, or that is needed for something
After a time, it became clear that nobody was interested in coming to the meetings. 过了一阵子，情况变得很明显，没有人想来参加会议。
They stayed with us for a short time. 他们跟我们住了很短一段时间。
That was the best restaurant I've been to for/in a long time (= a long period has gone past since I went to such a good restaurant). 那是我很长一段时间以来去过的最好的饭店。
It was some time ago that I last heard from her. 我最后一次收到她的信已有一段时间了。
We're going on holiday in two weeks' time (= after two weeks have passed). 我们过两周要去度假。
During her time (= while she was) in office, the prime minister introduced a large number of changes. 首相在执政期间推行了多项改革。
What do you like doing in your spare/free time (= when you are not working)? 你业余时间喜欢做什么？
have/take time off 请假，抽出时间
to stop work, in order to do something else
I asked my boss if I could have some time off (from work) to go to the dentist. 我问老板我能不能请一会儿假去看牙医。
for a time 一些时候，一小段时间
for a short period
For a time, we all thought that Sheila and Frank would get married. 我们一度都认为希拉和弗兰克会结婚。
for some timeB2 相当长一段时间
for a fairly long period of time
I've been doing yoga for some time. 我做瑜伽已有一段时间。
for the time beingC1 暂时，暂且
for a limited period
Leave the ironing for the time being - I'll do it later. 暂且先别烫衣服——我晚些时候来做。
- More examples
- I cherish the memories of the time we spent together.
- Childhood is not always a happy time.
- She has a difficult time ahead of her.
- Being out of work for a long time is very demoralizing.
- Have we got time for a quick drink?
(PARTICULAR POINT)
A1 [ C or S or U ]时刻;时间点;钟点
a particular point in the day, as expressed in hours and minutes or shown on a clock, or a particular point in time
What time is it? 现在几点了？
mainly UK "What's the time?" "It's ten o'clock." “现在什么时间？”“10点钟。”
What time do you finishwork? 你什么时候完成工作？
Have you got the time? (= Do you know what time it is?) 你知道几点了吗？
He's teaching his daughter to tell the time (= to recognize what time it is by looking at a clock). 他在教女儿看钟表。
Did you find out the times of the trains to Kiev? 你查到去基辅的火车的发车时间了吗？
The estimated time of arrival/departure of this flight is 11.15. 这次航班估计在11点15分到达／起飞。
mainly UK Oh dear, is that the (right) time? (= is it really so late?) 哦，天哪，有这么晚了吗？
We always have dinner at the same time every day. 我们每天总是在同一时间吃晚饭。
I was exhausted by the time (= when) I got home. 我到家时已经筋疲力尽了。
When would be a good time for me to call you? 我什么时候给你打电话合适？
"What would be the best time of day for us to deliver the table?" "Oh, any time will be OK." “我们什么时候送桌子最合适？”“哦，什么时候都行。”
Today's temperatures will be normal for the time of year (= will be as they are expected to be in this season). 今天的气温会和往年此时的平均气温一样。
Just think, this time (= at the same particular point during) next week we'll be in Aruba. 想想吧，下星期这个时候我们就在阿鲁巴岛了。
We regret that at the present time (US also at this time) we are unable to supply the products you ordered. 很遗憾，我们现在无法供应您订的货。
The time is fast drawing near/approaching (= it will soon be the time) when we'll have to make a decision. 我们必须下决心的时刻很快就要到了。
at the timeA2 在当时
at the particular point when something was thought of or done
It seemed like a good idea at the time. 在当时这似乎是个好主意。
at the same timeB1 在同时
If two things happen at the same time, they happen together.
We arrived at the same time. 我们同时到达。
at your time of life 在…的年纪
at a person's present age
At his time of life, he ought to be taking things easy. 他这样年纪应该享享清福了。
- More examples
- What time would it be convenient for me to come round?
- By the time the meal began, the youngest children were getting tired and crotchety.
- I might go to the cinema tomorrow - it depends what time I get home from work.
- The train was empty by the time it reached London.
- The exact time of the accident was 2.43 pm.
(SUITABLE POINT)
B1 [ S or U ]（从事特定活动或某事应该发生的）时间，时候
a particular point of the day, year, etc. that is suitable for a particular activity, or at which something is expected to happen
holiday time 假期
party time 聚会时间
Put your toys away now - it's time for bed. 现在收拾好玩具，该睡觉了。
It's time (that) I was leaving. 我该动身了。
[ + to infinitive ] Is it time (for us) to go home yet? 该回家了吗？
This is not the time (= not a suitable moment) to be thinking about buying a house. 现在不是考虑买房子的时候。
This is no time (= not a suitable moment) to change your mind. 现在不是你改变主意的时候。
I feel that the time has come (= now is a suitable moment) for me to move on. 我觉得是我离开的时候了。
The repairs to the road were finished two weeks ahead of time (= sooner than was expected). 道路维修工程提前两星期完成了。
Why is it that the buses never run on time (= make their journeys in the expected number of hours, etc.)? 为什么公交车从不准点？
She's grown old before her time (= sooner than she might have been expected to have done). 她过早地衰老了。
in timeB1 及早，及时
early enough
I got home just in time - it's starting to rain. 我正好及时赶到家——随后就开始下雨了。
If we don't hurry up, we won't be in time to catch the train. 如果我们不赶快，就不能及时赶上火车了。
We got there in plenty of time (= we arrived early) for the beginning of the game. 我们比赛前早早地就到了。
(right/dead/bang) on timeinformal 极为准时
happening or done at the particular moment that it was expected to happen or be done
My parents go to the house right on time. 我父母极为准时地到家。
ahead of timemainly US 提前
earlier than a particular moment
Let's meet for lunch. I'll call you ahead of time to decide exactly when and where. 我们见面吃个午饭吧。我会提前打电话跟你定时间和地点。
about timeC1informal (also high time) 差不多是时候了；早该（做某事）了
If it is about time/high time that someone did something, it should have been done sooner or a long time ago.
It's about time (that) the school improved its food service. 学校早该改善膳食服务了。
It is high time for the critics to open their minds to a new approach. 是到了批评者们对新做法采取开放态度的时候了。
about timeinformal (UK also about time too, not before time) （表示某人早该做某事了或某事早该发生了）早该如此
said when someone does something or something happens that you think should have been done or have happened much sooner
"So Ben's finally found a job." "Yeah, it's about time." “这么说，本终于找到工作了。”“对，早就该找到了。”
the time is right/ripe 时机已经成熟
it is the most suitable moment to do something or for something to happen
I haven't told him yet, but I will when the time is right. 我目前还没有告诉他，时机成熟的时候我会的。
She felt the time was right to leave. 她觉得是时候该离开了。
The time is ripe for investing in new technology. 投资新技术的时机成熟了。
- More examples
- It's time we dug up those potatoes.
- Many politicians argued that this was no time to disarm .
- The submarine dived just in time to avoid the enemy attack.
- Drink up! It's time to go.
- Borrowers are expected to return books on time.
(OCCASION)
A2 [ C ]次，回;一段经历
an occasion when something happens, or the experience connected with it
The last time we went to Paris, it rained every day. 上一次我们去巴黎的时候，每天都下雨。
Every time/Each time I ask you to do something you say you're busy. 每次我叫你做事，你都说太忙。
They go swimming three or four times a week. 他们每周去游泳三四次。
There are times when I wish I didn't live where I do. 有时我真希望我不是住在现在的地方。
The four-times champion (= the champion on four occasions in the past) was defeated in the second round. 这名曾4度夺冠的选手在比赛的第二轮就被打败了。
If I'd known at the time (= then) that she was his former wife, I'd never have said what I did. 我当时要是知道她是他前妻的话，我就不会那样说了。
Sometimes I enjoy my English classes, but at other times I find them really boring. 有时我很喜欢英语课，但有时也感觉很枯燥。
For the umpteenth/hundredth/thousandth time, (= I've told you on many occasions to) stop teasing your sister. 我无数次／上百次／上千次告诉过你，别再戏弄你妹妹了。
Did you have a bad/good time (= an unpleasant/enjoyable experience) at the conference? 你会开得好／不好吗？
She had an easy/hard time of it (= a comfortable/uncomfortable experience) with the birth of her second baby. 她生第二个孩子时很顺利／艰难。
from time to timeB2 偶尔，有时
sometimes, but not often
From time to time I still think of her. 我偶尔还会想起她。
time after timeC2 一次又一次
again and again
Time after time she gets involved in relationships with the wrong men. 她一次次地与不般配的男人陷入情感纠葛。
time and (time) again 屡次，经常
very often
I've told you time and time again - look before you cross the road. 我多次跟你说过——过马路之前要先看一看。
at all times 一直，总是
continuously
When you're at the airport, you should make sure you have your luggage with you at all times. 在机场，要把行李一直带在你身边。
at (any) one time(also at a time); (also at any given time) 每次;任何时候
at or during any particular point or moment in the day
Only a certain number of people are allowed in the building at any one time. 该建筑任何时候都只允许一定数量的人员进入。
I'm sorry, but I'm too busy to help you now - I can only do one thing at a time. 对不起，我现在太忙了，不能帮你——我一次只能做一件事。
at timesC1 有时
sometimes
You can be really annoying at times, you know. 要知道，你有时很令人恼火。
at any time 在任何时候
ever
Parking is not allowed here at any time. 这里任何时候都不得停车。
the timesUK 多次
on many occasions
The times I've told you, ask before you borrow my clothes. 我已经告诉你许多次了，在借用我的衣服之前要先问一声。
- More examples
- The announcement came at a bad time.
- Don't be daft - let me pay - you paid last time.
- Every time I ring her, the phone is engaged.
- I fell in love with him the first time I saw him.
- I was embarrassed at the time, but I had a good laugh about it later.
(HISTORICAL PERIOD)
B2 [ C ] (also times)历史时期；时代
a period in history
"A Tale of Two Cities" is set at the time of the French Revolution. 小说《双城记》是以法国大革命时期为背景的。
In/During medieval times, women thought to be witches were burned at the stake. 中世纪时期，人们把被认为是女巫的女人烧死在火刑柱上。
In times gone by, all crops were harvested by hand. 在过去的时代里，所有的农作物都是手工收割的。
Times were hard (= living conditions were not good) when I was a boy. 我小时候日子很艰难。
He is widely regarded as one of the best writers of modern/our times (= the present or very recent past). 人们普遍认为他是现代／我们这个时代最优秀的作家之一。
I never thought it would happen in my time (= before I died). 我怎么也想不到这会在我有生之年发生。
We sat and talked about old times (= things that had happened to us in the past.) 我们坐下来谈论往事。
Times have changed and many more women now have executive jobs than in the past. 时代已经变了，置身高级管理职位的女性数量比过去多得多了。
at one timeC2 过去;一度
in the past
At one time, George Eliot lived here. 乔治‧艾略特曾一度住在这里。
ahead of your time(UK also before your time) 领先时代的，超越时代的
having new ideas, opinions, or ways of living long before most other people do
before someone's time 在…出生前;在…记事前
If something is before your time, it happened or existed before you were born or were old enough to remember it.
I don't remember the Beatles - they were before my time. 我对甲壳虫乐队没有什么印象——那是我出生前的事。
See also: ahead of your time
time was 在过去;想当年
said to mean that there was a period in the past when something used to happen or be true
Time was (when) you could buy a loaf of bread for sixpence. 过去，你花6便士就能买到一条面包。
- More examples
- These coins were used in Roman times.
- My novel is set in the time of the French Revolution.
- I don't suppose we'll find life on Mars in my time.
(RACE)
[ C or U ]（赛跑中所用的）时间
Your time in a race is the number of minutes, hours, etc. you take to complete it.
Her time for the marathon was just under three hours. 她的马拉松成绩略低于3小时。
He ran the 100 metres in record time. 他以创纪录的成绩完成了100米赛跑。
(MUSIC)
[ U ]拍子;节奏
the number of beats in a bar of music, or the speed at which a piece of music is intended to be played
This piece is written in 4/4 time. 这支曲子是四四拍的。
Small children often have difficulty singing in time with the music (= at the same speed at which the music is being played). 幼儿唱歌时常常难以与音乐合拍。
It seemed to me as if the violins were playing out of time (= at a different speed from the other instruments playing the same piece of music). 我觉得小提琴似乎不合拍。
To beat time is to make a regular series of sounds at the same speed as a piece of music is played. 打拍子就是跟着音乐的节奏制造出一系列有规律的声响。
Tapping your foot will help you to keep time (= to play the music at the correct speed). 用脚轻叩有助于你跟上节拍。
(PRISON)
do timeinformal （在监狱）服刑
to spend a period of time in prison
It's not always easy to find a job after you've done time. 出狱后要找到工作可不容易。
(DRINKING)
[ U ]（英国酒吧的）打烊时间
the particular point in the day at which people who are drinking in a bar in the UK have to finish their drinks and leave
"Time, please!" called the landlord. “对不起，要打烊了，”店主叫道。
Is it time already? 已经到打烊的时间了吗？
Idioms More idioms
all the time in the worldidiom 有许多时间
a large amount of time available
The doctor made me feel as if she had all the time in the world to listen to my problems. 这个医生让我觉得她似乎有很多时间来倾听我的问题。
behind the timesidiom C1 落后于时代，过时
If someone or something is behind the times, they are old-fashioned.
be pressed for timeidiom 时间紧迫
to be in a hurry
I'd love to stop and talk, but I'm pressed for time. 我真想停下来聊聊天，但我的时间太紧了。
change with/keep up with/move with the timesidiom 跟上时代潮流，与时俱进
to change your ideas, opinions, or way of living or working to make them modern
I don't really like using the Internet, but you have to keep up with the times, I guess. 我实在不喜欢使用互联网，但我想人总得跟上时代潮流吧。
give someone a hard timeidiom informalC2 使（某人）日子不好过
to make things difficult or unpleasant for someone
Her kids always give her a hard time when she takes them shopping. 她带孩子们去购物时，他们总是给她惹麻烦。
My mother gave me a really hard time (= was angry with me) about staying out late. 我母亲对我在外面呆到很晚感到很生气。
give someone the time of dayidiom 理睬，搭理（某人）
If someone will not give you the time of day, they are unfriendly and refuse to speak to you.
We had an argument with our neighbours, and now they won't even give us the time of day. 我们和邻居吵了一架，到现在他们还不搭理我们。
have a lot of time for someoneidiom UK informal 对（某人）有好感，喜欢（某人）
to like someone and be interested in them
She's really nice - I have a lot of time for Helen. 海伦人真好——我很喜欢她。
have no time for someoneidiom C2 对（某人）没好感，讨厌（某人）
to disapprove of someone and not want to be involved with them
I have no time for people who are always complaining. 我不喜欢老是抱怨的人。
have time to killidiom 有时间可以消磨
to have nothing to do for a particular period
We've got some time to kill before we leave - do you want to have some coffee. 出发之前我们还有些时间可以打发——你想喝咖啡吗？
a matter/question of timeidiom （只不过是）时间问题
used when you think that something will happen at some point in the near future
If you keep on driving like that, it'll only be a matter of time before you have an accident. 如果你老是那样开车，迟早会出事的。
there's a time and a place (for everything)idiom saying （凡事）要讲究时间和场合。
said when someone is behaving in a way that you do not think is suitable for the situation they are in
there's no time like the presentidiom saying 目前正是好时机。
said to encourage someone to take action immediately instead of waiting
time and tide wait for no manidiom literary saying 岁月不待人；时不我待
said to emphasize that people cannot stop the passing of time, and therefore should not delay doing things
time fliesidiom sayingC2 时光飞逝
used to mean that time passes surprisingly quickly
Time flies when you're having fun. 玩得高兴的时候，时间过得飞快。
time hangs heavyidiom saying 时间难以打发
said when minutes, hours, weeks, etc. seem to go past very slowly
Time hangs heavy in prison. 监狱里真是度日如年。
time is moneyidiom saying 时间就是金钱。
said to emphasize that you should not waste time, because you could be using it to earn money
time is of the essenceidiom formal （催促某人时用）时间是关键，时间很宝贵
said to encourage someone to hurry
time is on someone's sideidiom (also have time on your side) （某人）有充裕的时间
If you say that time is on your side, or that you have time on your side, you mean that you do not have to do quickly whatever it is that you want or have to do.
We don't have to make a final decision till next week, so time is on our side. 下星期之前我们不必作出最后的决定，因此我们有充裕的时间。
the time is ripeidiom 时机成熟了
If you say that the time is ripe, you mean that it is a suitable point for a particular activity.
I'm waiting till the time is ripe before I tell my parents that I failed my two exams. 我要等到时机成熟后再告诉父母两门考试不及格的事。
the time of your lifeidiom 极其快乐的时光
an extremely enjoyable experience
We had the time of our lives at the party. 在聚会上，我们度过了极其快乐的时光。
have time on your handsidiom 无事可干
to have nothing to do
Gina has some time on her hands, so she is taking a college course. 吉娜现在无事可做，所以在上一门大学的课程。
time stands stillidiom 时间仿佛凝固了，周围的一切似乎凝住了
When time stands still, everything around you seems to stop.
I saw the car coming straight towards me, and for a moment time stood still. 我看见汽车朝我直开过来，一瞬间时间仿佛凝固了。
(only) time will tellidiom (UK also (only) time can tell)（只有）时间能证明
used to say that the truth or a result will only be known in the future after events have happened
Only time will tell whether we made the right decision. 只有时间才能证明我们的决定是否正确。
time's a great healeridiom saying (also time heals (all wounds)) 时间是治愈创伤的良药。
said to mean that a painful or difficult situation will seem less bad as time passes
time
verb [ T ] uk/taɪm/ us/taɪm/
(ARRANGE)
确定…的时间，为…安排时间
to decide that something will happen at a particular time
[ + to infinitive ] We timed our trip to coincide with my cousin's wedding. 我们把旅行安排在表哥结婚的时候。
掌握好…的时机
to arrange something so that it happens at the best possible time
If you time your departure carefully, you should be able to miss the worst of the traffic. 如果精心安排好出发的时间，你应该能够避开交通堵塞最严重的时段。
The girls' basketball team won the game with a perfectly timed shot (= one played at exactly the right moment), just before the buzzer. 女子少年篮球队完美地掌握时机，在比赛结束哨响前一刻投篮进球，赢得了这场比赛。
- More examples
- They timed the book to coincide with the film release.
- They timed the trip for after the end of their project.
(MEASURE)
B2 为…计时，测定…所需的时间
to measure how long it takes for something to happen or for someone to do something
Will you time me to see how long it takes me to swim a length? 请你给我测一下游一个单程要花多少时间好吗？