(it's) (a)bout time
(it's) (a)bout time
An expression used to emphasize that something should have occurred a long time ago. Well, about time you got here—I've been waiting for over an hour! It's about time that high schools taught their students about basic banking and finance. A: "Tom finally moved out of his parents' house." B: "Bout time! He's 40 years old."
See also: time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
It's about time!
Inf. It is almost too late!; I've been waiting a long time! (Said with impatience.) So you finally got here! It's about time! They finally paid me my money. It's about time!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
about time
Long past the right time; also, approximately the right time. Thus, It's about time you went to bed can mean either that you should have gone to bed much earlier (often stated with emphasis on the word time), or that now is the appropriate time for you to retire. [Early 1900s] For a synonym, see high time.
See also: time
it's about time
Also, it's high time. See about time; high time.
See also: time
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
(and) about ˈtime (ˈtoo)
,(and) not before ˈtime
(spoken) said when the speaker is pleased that something has happened but thinks that it should have happened sooner: Here comes the bus — and about time too. Julia’s been promoted, and not before time, considering the amount of work she does.See also: time
it’s ˌhigh/aˌbout ˈtime (that)...
(spoken) used for saying that something should be done or happen immediately or very soon: It’s high time that this room was properly cleaned! So you’ve started work! It’s about time! (= you should have started a long time ago).See also: high
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- about time
- bout
- about time too
- any time
- anytime
- any time means no time
- any old time
- at all hours
- at all hours (of the day and night)
- (it's) time to run