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English Idioms about "Time"

In the nick of time

English Idiom

Meaning: Something happens at the last possible moment before it's too late. It's often used to describe a situation where timing is critical and just narrowly met.
Origin: The idiom 'in the nick of time' originated in the 16th century. The word 'nick' refers to a precise moment or point in time. Over the years, the phrase evolved to signify something happening just before a critical deadline, capturing the essence of narrowly avoiding disaster.
Two people running away in a bustling street surrounded by onlookers and shops capturing an intense urban scene
OpenAI's DALL-E generated image

Examples

  • As the train was about to depart, she arrived in the nick of time.
  • The firefighters rescued the cat from the burning building in the nick of time.
  • He submitted his tax returns in the nick of time, avoiding hefty penalties.
  • The surgeon arrived in the nick of time to save the patient's life.
  • She caught the vase before it hit the ground, in the nick of time.
  • They reached the airport in the nick of time to catch their flight.
  • The deal was sealed in the nick of time, just before the deadline.
  • His quick thinking helped avert a disaster in the nick of time.
  • The goalie made a save in the nick of time, preventing the opposing team from scoring.
  • The software update was completed in the nick of time, just before the major presentation.