taɪm flaɪz wen jɔːr ˈhævɪŋ fʌn
Time
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- Time moves quickly during enjoyment
What does "time flies when you're having fun" mean?
- Enjoyable moments seem to pass quickly
- Time goes fast when you're engaged in pleasant activities
Examples
- Is it midnight already? Time flies when you're having fun!
- The vacation ended so quickly—time flies when you're having fun.
- I can't believe the party's over. Time flies when you're having fun.
Origin
Based on the psychological perception that time passes more quickly during enjoyable activities. Ancient observation.
How to use it
Very common observation about enjoyable experiences. Often said with surprise.
Similar expressions
time passes quickly
hours fly by
Opposites
time drags
time stands still
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
- have the time of one's life
to have an extremely enjoyable experience
Use it in a practice answer
Try "time flies when you're having fun" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.