all the time
1. Constantly; habitually. I hardly ever see my sister anymore because she's with her boyfriend all the time. We go to that coffee shop all the time. Can't we try someplace new? A: "Aren't you hurt by what he said?" B: "Nah, Kareem and I tease each other all the time."
2. Ceaselessly. We don't feel it, but the Earth is moving all the time. Things change all the time. As they say, the only thing that's constant in life is change! Plugs like that are drawing energy all the time, you know, even when the device itself is turned off.
3. During a particular timeframe. Did you know about my surprise party all the time? I'm so impressed that you kept it a secret for so long! So that was the problem all the time? I had the wrong screwdriver? A: "I can't believe you two broke up!" B: "Yeah, well, that decision had been looking us in the face all the time."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
all the time
1. Lit. throughout a specific period of time. Bill was stealing money for the last two years, and Tom knew it all the time. All the time through December and January, Jane held down two jobs.
2. Fig. at all times; continuously. Your blood keeps flowing all the time. That electric motor runs all the time.
3. Fig. repeatedly; habitually. She keeps a handkerchief in her hand all the time. He whistles all the time. It drives me crazy.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
all the time
1. Also, all the while. Throughout a specific period, as in All the time the music was playing she tapped her foot, or The baby slept all the while the fire was being put out. [Late 1400s]
2. Continuously, without interruption, as in That old refrigerator is running all the time.
3. Frequently, repeatedly, as in He goes to that store all the time.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
all the ˈtime
, the whole ˈtime
1 during the whole of a particular period of time: The letter was in my pocket the whole time (= while I was looking for it).
2 very often; repeatedly: She leaves the lights on all the time. OPPOSITE: (every) now and again/thenFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017