take up time
take up time
1. To consume or require (some amount of) time. Often modified by phrases such as "a lot of," "a little," "too much," etc., between "up" and "time." We're going to have a seven-hour layover in Newark, so we'll need to find a way to take up time with the kids. The process isn't actually that difficult. The only real problem is that it takes up so much time.
2. To occupy someone's time, especially in a wasteful or irritating manner. In this usage, a possessive noun or pronoun is used between "up" and "time." My boss was always really unwelcoming whenever I came to her with a question, like I was taking up her time. Thank you for going over this with me, professor. I'm sorry for taking up your time.
See also: take, time, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
take up (someone's) time
to require too much of someone else's time; to waste someone's time. (Also with so much of or too much of, as in the examples.) You're taking up my time. Please go away. This problem is taking up too much of my time.
See also: take, time, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- (it's) time to jet off (to some place)
- be joined at the hip
- any time means no time
- against time
- against the clock
- any time
- (it's) time to run
- (it's) time to move along
- anytime
- (it's) time to push along