Topics › Time and timing

English phrases for time and timing

18 phrases from the lesson “Playing It by Ear”.

• play it by earto decide what to do as things happen, without a fixed plan
• at short noticewith very little warning beforehand
• call it a dayto stop doing something, usually for the day
• in the nick of timeat the very last possible moment
• a last-minute thingsomething arranged or decided very close to when it happens
• on timeat the correct, planned time; not late
• run lateto be behind schedule
• in advancebefore something happens, with planning
• at the last minutevery close to a deadline or event, often causing rush
• without any warningsuddenly, with no notice beforehand
• at the drop of a hatimmediately, without any hesitation or planning
• cut it fineto leave yourself very little extra time before a deadline
• wing itto do something without preparation, improvising as you go
• catch sb off guardto surprise someone when they aren't expecting it
• a last-minute dasha rushed effort to do or get something right before a deadline
• on the spur of the momentsuddenly, without any planning in advance
• jump the gunto act too early, before the right or appropriate moment
• make it up as you go alongto invent a plan or approach while you're already doing something