about time
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(it's) (a)bout time
An expression used to emphasize that something should have occurred a long time ago. Well, about time you got here—I've been waiting for over an hour! It's about time that high schools taught their students about basic banking and finance. A: "Tom finally moved out of his parents' house." B: "Bout time! He's 40 years old."
See also: time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
about time
Long past the right time; also, approximately the right time. Thus, It's about time you went to bed can mean either that you should have gone to bed much earlier (often stated with emphasis on the word time), or that now is the appropriate time for you to retire. [Early 1900s] For a synonym, see high time.
See also: 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.
(and) about ˈtime (ˈtoo)
,(and) not before ˈtime
(spoken) said when the speaker is pleased that something has happened but thinks that it should have happened sooner: Here comes the bus — and about time too. ♢ Julia’s been promoted, and not before time, considering the amount of work she does.See also: time
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017