rʌn aʊt əv taɪm
Time
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- to have time escape or drain away
What does "run out of time" mean?
to have no more time left to do something
Examples
- I ran out of time on the exam and couldn't answer the last two questions.
- We're running out of time to find a solution before the deadline.
- The team ran out of time and had to present an incomplete proposal.
Origin
The metaphor of time as a resource that can be depleted. Common since at least the 18th century.
How to use it
One of the most common time expressions in English.
Similar expressions
time's up
no time left
the clock ran out
Opposites
have plenty of time
have time to spare
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
- time flies when you're having fun
Enjoyable moments seem to pass quickly
- have the time of one's life
to have an extremely enjoyable experience
Use it in a practice answer
Try "run out of time" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.