on time
Idioms-
Punctually, according to schedule, as in I hope the plane will be on time . [Early 1800s]
-
By paying in installments, on credit, as in They are buying their car on time . The time here refers to the designated period in which payments must be made. [Mid-1800s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The largest share of rejected mail ballots — 93,479 ballots — were declined because the ballot was not received on time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
As OpenAI’s head of data-center build and delivery, Mayo’s focus is on ensuring that data centers its cloud partners build are done on time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
I like to save on time and kitchen clean-up because I don’t have a dishwasher, so store-bought is my preferred option.
From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026
Of that spending, 98.5% of balances were repaid on time, it said.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
I have abandoned my intricate routine of gel, comb, mousse, straightening iron, curling iron, and hairspray...that would totally derail us getting to school on time.
From "Watch Us Rise" by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
