ɪn djuː taɪm
Time
formal
intermediate
- Literally:
- in the proper or owed time
What does "in due time" mean?
- at the appropriate moment
- eventually, when the time is right
Examples
- Be patient — the results will be announced in due time.
- All your hard work will pay off in due time.
- The answers to your questions will come in due time.
Origin
'Due' here means 'owed' or 'proper,' from Old French. Used since the 15th century.
How to use it
Used to counsel patience. Can sound reassuring or dismissive depending on tone.
Similar expressions
eventually
in good time
when the time is right
Opposites
immediately
right now
without delay
Related idioms
- in the long run
Over a long period of time
- better late than never
It's better to do something late than not to do it at all
- from time to time
occasionally, not regularly
- in the nick of time
Just in time; at the last possible moment
- run out of time
to have no more time left to do something
- time flies when you're having fun
Enjoyable moments seem to pass quickly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "in due time" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.