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
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
In a May social media post, Trump said he was "going to work very hard" to see a law on time changes passed.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
How to make sure you still get your benefits on time.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026
“Could you please be on time for your first day?”
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.
