What Does "it is about time" Mean?
- Pragmatic function: The expression serves as a way to express impatience, criticism, or a sense of urgency. It signals that an event should have happened much sooner than it actually did.
- Literal vs. conventional meaning: Literally, it sounds like a discussion of chronology, but conventionally, it is an idiomatic way to say "finally" or "long overdue."
- Register: Generally neutral to informal. It is frequently used in journalism and opinion pieces to provide a sharp, critical edge, but it is also common in daily speech.
How to Use It
- Typical social context: It is used when a speaker is frustrated by a delay, such as when a policy is finally changed, a person arrives late, or a necessary action is finally taken.
- Formality level and relationship between speakers: It can be used between friends (informal) or in public discourse (neutral/journalistic). Because it carries a tone of reproach, it should be used carefully with superiors.
- Expected response or follow-up: Usually, the listener acknowledges the delay with an apology or an explanation (e.g., "I know, the traffic was terrible").
- Can it stand alone or does it need a continuation? It can stand alone as an exclamation ("It is about time!") or be followed by a clause explaining what should have happened.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from it is about time on Ludwig.guru.
"It is about time that the silent majority learnt to open its mouth and speak up." — The Guardian - Opinion
"It is about time we had another." — The Times
"It is about time the food pyramid was replaced." — Harvard University
"It is about time the law caught up with that." — The New York Times
"And it is about time to address this frustration." — The Guardian - Opinion
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| high time |
More emphatic and slightly more formal; implies the delay is significant. |
| about time |
The shortened, more casual version used frequently in spoken English. |
| finally |
A neutral adverb that focuses on the completion of a long wait. |
| it's long overdue |
More formal and often used in professional or political contexts. |
| at last |
Carries a more positive, relieved tone rather than a critical one. |
| better late than never |
A common proverb used to soften the criticism of a delay. |
Common Mistakes
- Wrong Tense: Learners often use the present tense instead of the required past subjunctive in the following clause (e.g., saying 'it is about time we go' instead of 'it is about time we went'). Even though the action is in the future or present, the past tense is grammatically necessary to show the hypothetical nature of the delay.
- Over-literal interpretation: Using the phrase to discuss actual time-telling or travel (unless used as a pun) can confuse listeners, as the phrase is almost exclusively idiomatic.
- Tone Deafness: Using this with a boss or elder can come across as disrespectful or rude because it implies they have been failing to act for too long.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Social Function |
Register |
Typical Context |
| It is about time |
Expressing that something is overdue |
Neutral to Informal |
Criticizing delays or celebrating long-awaited actions |
FAQs
How should I respond when someone says it is about time to me?
You should generally acknowledge the delay with a degree of agreement or an apology. A common response is "I know, I'm sorry it took so long" or simply "I agree, it's been a long wait."
Is there a difference between British and American usage of this phrase?
The phrase is used with the same meaning and frequency in both British and American English. However, British speakers might more frequently use the variation high time to add extra emphasis to the urgency.
Why do we use the past tense after this expression?
This is a unique grammatical rule where the past subjunctive is used to express a hypothetical situation that should have already happened. Learners often mistakenly use the present tense, but you must say it is about time we started rather than "start."