time flies

/taɪm flaɪz/◆idiom

time passes quickly

Wow, it's already midnight! Time flies when you're having fun.

This phrase is used to express surprise at how quickly time has passed.

◆ What It Really Means

Time seems to move very quickly, often in hindsight.

¶ Literal Meaning

Time moves through the air swiftly.

Literal Breakdown

timethe concept of time+fliesmoves through the air like a bird

◇ Mental Image

A bird swiftly flying through the sky, symbolizing the rapid passage of time.

◈ When to Use

Someone looks back after a long period and realizes how quickly time has passed, often with a sense of surprise or nostalgia.

◉ Cultural Note

The phrase 'tempus fugit' from Virgil's 'Georgics' is a well-known classical antecedent, reflecting the timeless human experience of time's swift passage.

informal

Time seems to pass very quickly.

I can't believe it's December already—time flies!

Expresses surprise at how fast the year has gone by.

She looked at her old photos and said, 'Time flies.'

Reflects nostalgia or realization of how much time has passed.

Commonly used in everyday speech to comment on the rapid passage of time, often in hindsight.

Collocations

how time fliesan expression of surprise at time passing quicklytime flies when you're having funa common elaboration on the idiom

time steals opportunities or youth

the clock is tickingmetaphor

time is running out

in the blink of an eyephrase

very quickly

Pro Tip

Use in context

Pair this idiom with a personal anecdote or observation to make it sound natural. For example: 'I can't believe it's been five years since we graduated. Time flies!'

Gold Rule

Fixed expression

Do not alter the phrase (e.g., 'time is flying' is incorrect in this idiomatic sense).

Word Origin

The phrase dates back to ancient Rome, where the Roman poet Virgil wrote 'tempus fugit' ('time flies') in his work 'Georgics' (29 BCE). The English expression evolved from this Latin phrase.

Usage Notes

Used in both spoken and written English, often to express nostalgia, surprise, or reflection. It is a fixed expression and does not change form (e.g., 'time flew' is not used in this idiomatic sense).

Word Breakdown

time

the ongoing sequence of events

noun

flies

moves swiftly or passes quickly

verb

English Dictionary

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