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borrowed time

American

noun

an uncertain, usually limited period of time extending beyond or postponing the occurrence of something inevitable.

Etymology

Origin of borrowed time

First recorded in 1895–1900

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 world record appeared to be on borrowed time after Hodgkinson opened her season with a 1:56.33 clocking in Birmingham five days ago.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

The announcement is another acknowledgment that pay TV subscription revenue is living on borrowed time, as consumers move away from cable and satellite video providers to streaming services.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2025

Ten Hag then survived a meeting of the club's hierarchy a few days later, and the October international break, but the sense was that he was on borrowed time.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2024

As a younger generation of sports fans increasingly turned to YouTube and other online sources for game highlights, ESPN’s “SportsCenter” appeared to be on borrowed time in 2015.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2024

We are living on borrowed time, because at any moment, one of the Nazis is going to hear something.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023