High time

Meaning

The idiom "high time" has a figurative or metaphorical meaning that refers to the best possible opportunity or moment for something to happen. It implies a sense of urgency and timing, suggesting that if an action is not taken now, it may be too late.

Usage

• "We're going to hit the town tonight, what do you say?" "It's high time we had a fun evening out."
• "I don't know why you always wait until the last minute to start working on your projects. It's high time you started planning ahead."
• "We should have left earlier, but we waited too long. It's high time we get going if we want to make it to the concert in time."
• "It's high time you told your boss about that mistake you made last week. You can't keep hiding it forever."
• "We should have planned for this trip months ago, but we left everything to the last minute. It's high time we start preparing for our next adventure." The usage of "high time" can vary depending on the context. For example, in the first sentence, it is used in a casual and friendly manner to suggest that it's a great opportunity to have fun with friends. In the second sentence, it is used to criticize someone who doesn't plan ahead and emphasizes the importance of preparation. In the third sentence, it is used as an expression of frustration when people don't leave on time for an event. In the fourth sentence, it is used to suggest that someone should come clean about a mistake they made at work. Finally, in the fifth sentence, it is used in a more lighthearted way to encourage preparation for a trip or adventure.

Roots and History

The origin of "high time" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been used in the 16th century to refer to the best possible moment for something to happen. It may have been influenced by other similar phrases such as "the right time" or "the season". Over time, the phrase has evolved to take on a more urgent and specific meaning, emphasizing the importance of timing and action.

Synonyms in English

• "The perfect opportunity"
• "The ideal moment"
• "The best chance"
• "The optimal time"
• "The right place at the right time"

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "el momento justo" (the exact moment)
• French: "le meilleur moment" (the best moment)
• German: "das beste Moment" (the best moment)
• Italian: "il momento perfetto" (the perfect moment)
• Japanese: "最も適しい時間" (the most suitable time)

Similar Idioms

• Herculean task

• at the same time

• sleep on