taɪm ɒn wʌnz hændz
Time
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- having time sitting in one's hands
What does "time on one's hands" mean?
having free time with nothing to do
Examples
- Since retiring, he's had a lot of time on his hands.
- With too much time on her hands, she started redecorating the entire house.
- Teenagers with too much time on their hands sometimes get into trouble.
Origin
The image of time as a physical thing one holds dates to at least the 18th century.
How to use it
Often implies that the free time is excessive or leads to boredom.
Similar expressions
free time
spare time
idle hours
Opposites
busy schedule
no free time
swamped
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
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