time will tell

Idioms  

1. Sooner or later something will become known or be revealed, as in I don't know whether or not they'll like the reconstruction; only time will tell. This proverbial phrase dates from the early 1500s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

time will tell

“Only time will tell if the U.S. midterms do represent a turn for Middle East policy with implications for ECB/BOE hike prospects,” the rates strategist says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Only time will tell what remains of that moment and whether it can be revived.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Whether they keep rising is something only time will tell.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

Only time will tell how Warsh measures up to his predecessors now that he’s in charge.

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

Only time will tell, ladies and gentlemen, only time will tell.

From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling

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