high time

American  

noun

1. the appropriate time or past the appropriate time.

   It's high time he got out of bed.

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high time British  

adverb

1. the latest possible time; a time that is almost too late

   it's high time you mended this shelf

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noun

1. Also called: high old time.  an enjoyable and exciting time

high time Idioms  

1. The appropriate time for something; also, past the appropriate time. For example, It's high time we did something about Martha's dog, or It's high time you children were in bed. The precise meaning of this term depends on the tone of voice and/or the context. For a synonym, see about time.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

high time

“It is high time . . . that we take our ignorance more seriously,” Hayek memorably observed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 15, 2025

It’s the weekend before Halloween, high time for the freaks to descend.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025

"It is high time that health becomes an issue for formal negotiations, and we hope to see this at COP31" next year, he said.

From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2025

Corruption has been a long-term issue, she told the BBC, adding that it is "high time our nation, our prime minister, and anyone in power changes, because we need to change".

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2025

“Loma is my sister, which makes her your aunt. And it’s high time you started callin’ her that.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns