by the time

by the time

At the time when something happens that is after another event or situation has already passed or occurred. By the time she realized she had cancer, it had already spread. If you don't have this mess cleaned up by the time I get home, you're going to be in serious trouble! Please, if you made a billion dollars by the time you were 23, you'd be making the same stupid decisions as this guy.
See also: by, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
See also:
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.