(and) not before time!

(and) not before time!

An expression used to emphasize that something should have occurred a long time ago. They're finally hiring some extra help around here, and not before time—another one of my employees resigned today. A: "Dinner's ready!" B: "Not before time. I'm starving." I'm finally getting over this flu, and not before time. If I miss another day of work, they'll start docking my pay!

See also: before, not

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

not before time

used to convey that something now happening or about to happen should have happened earlier.

See also: before, not, time

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