lose time
Related to lose time: time being, at no time, time is ripe, Lost Time
lose (some amount of) time
To waste or squander some amount of time, the amount of which typically being left somewhat vague. The racer lost a lot of time having to change the tire of his bike so early on, but he'll have plenty of chances to catch up. We lost so much time dealing with paperwork and legal issues that I don't know if we'll even be able to meet our deadline at this point.
See also: amount, lose, time
lose time
1. For a watch or clock to not work or function properly. My watch keeps losing time—it must need a new battery
2. To waste or squander time or be delayed when there is a limited amount of time or a deadline. Hey, turn here—there's a traffic jam on the highway so we'll lose time if we go that way. The reshoot caused us to lose time, but we're still on track to meet the deadline.
See also: lose, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
lose time
1. Operate too slowly. For example, My watch loses time, or This clock loses five minutes a day. This usage is always applied to a timepiece. [Mid-1800s]
2. Waste time, delay, as in We wanted to paint the entire porch today, but we lost time trying to find a color that matched the house . This expression is sometimes put negatively as lose no time, meaning "act immediately" or "not delay," as in We must lose no time in getting him to the hospital. [Late 1500s] Also see make up for lost time.
See also: lose, time
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
lose time
1. To operate too slowly. Used of a timepiece.
2. To delay advancement.
See also: lose, time
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- lose (some amount of) time
- lose some amount of time
- just a minute
- Just a minute!
- just a minute/moment/second
- just a moment
- sec
- just a sec(ond)
- make (some amount of money) in (something)
- make in