Time will tell

Meaning

The idiom "time will tell" is used to indicate that it is difficult to predict the outcome of a situation at the present moment, but that further developments or events in the future will reveal more information. It suggests that the future holds uncertainties and that only time can provide clarity about what will happen.

Usage

• "I'm not sure if this relationship will work out, but time will tell."
• "We don't know if the new CEO will be successful, but we'll see how it goes."
• "The market is volatile right now, but time will tell if it will recover."
• "I don't want to make any assumptions about his character until I get to know him better."
• "We won't know the final outcome of the election until the results are announced."

Roots and History

The idiom "time will tell" has been used in English since at least the 16th century. It appears in various forms, including "the course of time" and "the march of time," which suggest that events progress in a linear fashion over time. In contemporary language, the phrase is often used to acknowledge that the future holds uncertainties and that only further developments or events will reveal more information.

Synonyms in English

• "The situation will unfold."
• "We'll see how it plays out."
• "Only time will tell."
• "We'll have to wait and see."
• "It's too early to say."

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "On verra" (we'll see)
• Spanish: "Veremos" (we'll see)
• German: "Es wird sehen, wie es geht." (it will show how it goes)
• Italian: "Lei verrà a sapere." (she will know)
• Portuguese: "Vamos ver." (let's see)

Similar Idioms

• blast from the past

• the pen is mightier than the sword

• third wheel or fifth wheel