the times (they) are a-changing
The social norms, standards, or expectations of the country or world are shifting in dramatic or surprising ways. An allusion to the title and main refrain from the Bob Dylan song "The Times They Are A-Changin'." "Changing" is often shortened colloquially to "changin'." The people in this neighborhood used to be a tight-knit community of friends. But the times they are a-changing, and everyone has either moved away or drifted apart. There used to be a real stigma around being a single parent, but thankfully the times are a-changin'. A: "Don't you think it's just a really weird decision to live that way?" B: "Hey, the times they are a-changin'! All sorts of stuff is OK now that was taboo 20 years ago."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
times are changing
a response to a surprising piece of news from someone. Sue: They paid nearly five hundred thousand for their first house! Rachel: Well, I shouldn't be so surprised. Times are changing, I guess. "Times are changing," warned Mary. "You can't expect the world to stand still."
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.