- [uncountable]
what is measured in minutes, hours, days, etc. （以分钟、小时、天等计量的）时间 The world exists in time and space. 世界存在于时间与空间之中。 The changing seasons mark the passage of time. 季节的变化标志着时间的流逝。 - in time
A visit to the museum will take you back in time to the 1930s. 参观这家博物馆就会使你回到 20 世纪 30 年代。 At this point in time, it seems unlikely that he will write any more books. 此时，他似乎不太可能再写更多的书了。 - over time
Perceptions change over time (= as time passes). 观念随着时间的流逝而变化。 As time goes on I love this city more and more. 随着时间的推移，我越来越爱这座城市。 As time went by we saw less and less of each other. 随着时间的推移，我们见面越来越少。 The main character is able to travel through time. 主角能够穿越时间。
Extra ExamplesTopics Timea1They say that time heals all wounds. 他们说时间会治愈一切伤口。 Her skills improved with time. 她的技艺随着时间的推移而不断提高。 It helps to pass the time. 它有助于消磨时间。 Time drags in this job. 这项工作让人感觉时间过得很慢。
Oxford Collocations Dictionarytime + verb- elapse
- go by
- pass
- …
- in time
- over time
- through time
- …
- a matter of time
- the mists of time
- [uncountable]
the time shown on a clock in minutes and hours （钟表所显示的）时间，钟点，时刻 What time is it/What’s the time? 几点了？ Do you have the time? 你知道现在几点了吗？ - (British English)
What time do you make it? 你说现在几点了？ - (North American English)
What time do you have? 你知道现在几点了吗？ Let me just check the time. 让我查看一下时间。 The time is now half past ten. 现在是十点半。 - (British English)
Can she tell the time yet (= say what time it is by looking at a clock)? 她会看钟表了吗？ - (North American English)
Can she tell time yet? 她会看钟表了吗？ My watch keeps perfect time (= always shows the correct time). 我的表走得很准。 Look at the time! We'll be late. 看几点了！我们要迟到了。 This time tomorrow I'll be in Canada. 明天这个时候我就在加拿大了。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- perfect
- local
- …
- tell
- have
- make
- …
- zone
- ahead of… time
- behind… time
- at… time in the morning/afternoon/evening
- at… time of day
- at… time of the morning/afternoon/evening/night
- …
- [uncountable]
the time measured in a particular part of the world （世界某一地区所计量的）时，时间 6 o’clock local time 当地时间 6 点钟 We're two hours behind Central European Time. 我们比中欧时间晚两个小时。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- perfect
- local
- …
- tell
- have
- make
- …
- zone
- ahead of… time
- behind… time
- at… time in the morning/afternoon/evening
- at… time of day
- at… time of the morning/afternoon/evening/night
- …
- [uncountable, countable]
the time when something happens or when something should happen （某事发生或应该发生的）时间，时候 What time do you finish work? 你什么时候下班？ The baby loves bath time. 这婴儿喜欢洗澡的时候。 A computer screen shows arrival and departure times. 电脑屏幕显示出到达和离开的时间。 - time to do something
I think it's time to go to bed. 我想该睡觉了。 This is hardly the time to discuss politics. 现在不是讨论政治的时候。 - time for something
It's time for lunch. 午餐时间到了。 - time (that)…
It's time the kids were in bed. 孩子们该睡觉了。 It's time that farmers listened to consumers. 农民该听消费者的话了。 - by the time (that)…
By the time you get there the meeting will be over. 等你到了那里的时候，会议就该结束了。 - at a… time
Have I called at a bad time? Shall I call back later? 我打电话来的不是时候吗？我过会儿再打来好吗？ We stock six different beers at any one time. 我们一次储存六种不同的啤酒。 - at the time
I didn't realize it at the time, but that was the best day of my life. 我当时没有意识到，但那是我一生中最美好的一天。 The promotion came at just the right time for me. 晋升来得正是时候。 The new product will launch when the time is right. 新产品将在合适的时候推出。 You'll feel differently about it when the time comes (= when it happens). 到时候你就会有不同的感受了。 - around the time of something
Several articles were published around the time of his death in 2018. 2018年他去世前后发表了几篇文章。
Extra ExamplesIs this an appropriate time to discuss my salary? 这是讨论我薪水的适当时机吗？ It's time for a break. 休息的时间到了。 We need to fix a time for the next meeting. 我们需要为下次会议定好时间。 At the time of writing, a ceasefire is under discussion. 写稿时停火问题仍在磋商中。 Your time will come. 你的机会会来的。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- peak
- prime
- closing
- …
- fix
- set
- change
- …
- come
- ahead of time
- behind time
- by the time
- …
- [uncountable]
an amount of time; the amount of time available to work, rest, etc. 一段时间；（可用于工作、休息等的）一段时间 I can't go with you—I don't have time. 我不能和你一起去——我没有时间。 He spends a lot of his time working. 他花很多时间工作。 - time for something
Do you have time for a chat? 你有时间聊会儿吗？ - time to do something
Allow plenty of time to get to the airport. 预留足够的时间到达机场。 I can probably make the time to see them. 我大概能腾出时间见他们。 It takes time to make changes in the law. 修改法律还有待时日。 We have no time to lose (= we must hurry). 我们不能耽误时间了！ We got to the airport with time to spare. 我们到达机场时还有时间。 She plans to study overseas for an extended period of time. 她计划在海外学习一段时间。 What do you like to do in your free time? 你闲暇时喜欢干什么？ She doesn’t have much spare time. 她没有多少空闲时间。 Sorry, I can’t spare the time. 对不起，我抽不出时间。 Don't waste any more time! 不要再浪费时间了！ What a waste of time! 太浪费时间了！ Time's running out for them to complete the project. 他们完成这个项目的时间不多了。 I didn't finish the test—I ran out of time. 我没答完试卷，我的时间不够了。 Time's up—have you worked out the answer yet? 时间到了，你得出答案了没有？ He never takes any time off (= time spent not working). 他从不休假。 Jane's worked here for some time (= for a fairly long period of time). 简在这儿工作已经有好些时候了。 Do it now please—not in three hours' time (= three hours from now). 请现在就干，而不是三个小时之后。 The journey time is two hours. 旅程时间为两个小时。 I don’t want to take up too much of your precious time. 我不想占用你太多宝贵的时间。 What’s the hurry? We have all the time in the world. 急什么？我们拥有世界上所有的时间。
Extra ExamplesA great deal of time has been spent on developing this software. 开发这款软件已花费了大量的时间。 De Niro makes the most of limited screen time. 德尼罗充分利用了有限的出镜时间。 Do you need more time? 你需要再多点儿时间吗？ He put all his time into the show. 他把时间都花在这个节目上了。 I can certainly do the job if you give me time. 只要你给我时间，我肯定能完成那项工作。 I can never find time to write letters. 我总是抽不出时间写信。 I had no time to think. 我没有时间思考。 I'll be back in ten minutes' time. 我 10 分钟后回来。 The coach plans to give younger players more playing time. 教练计划给年轻球员更多上场时间。 They didn't allow much time for discussion. 他们没有留出多少时间讨论。 This doesn't leave much time for us to get ready. 这没给我们留出多少时间做准备。 We had to wait some time before the bus arrived. 我们等了一段时间公交车才到。 We will discuss this matter later, if time permits. 如果时间允许的话，我们待会儿讨论这件事。 We're wasting precious time. 我们在浪费宝贵的时间。 Where does the time go? 时间去哪儿了？ You would save time with a dishwasher. 用洗碗机可以节省时间。 Have you lived abroad for any length of time? 你有没有在国外住过一段时间？ He'd been thinking about quitting his job for quite some time. 相当一段时间以来他一直在考虑辞职。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- long
- little
- …
- amount
- length
- period
- …
- have
- need
- give somebody/something
- …
- be up
- run out
- frame
- interval
- period
- …
- at a time
- for a time
- in time
- …
- all in good time
- all the time
- the entire time
- …
- a time[singular]
a period of time, either long or short, during which you do something or something happens （或长或短的）一段时间 His injuries will take a long time to heal. 他的伤需要很长一段时间才能好。 It took them a long time to get home. 他们花了很长时间才到家。 Did you have to wait a long time to see the doctor? 看病要等很久吗？ - for a time
I lived in Egypt for a time. 我在埃及住过一阵子。 I was only there for a short time. 我只在那里呆了很短时间。 The early morning is the best time of day. 清晨是一天最好的时光。 Her parents died a long time ago. 她的父母很早以前就去世了。 At one time (= at a period of time in the past) Emily was my best friend. 埃米莉一度是我最好的朋友。 Mr Curtis was the manager in my time (= when I was working there). 我在那里工作时，柯蒂斯先生是经理。
Extra ExamplesTopics Timea1The leaves start to turn red at this time of (the) year. 树叶在一年中的这个时候开始变红。 There's less traffic at this time of day. 白天这个时段车辆较少。 What are you doing out of bed at this time of night? 深更半夜你下床干什么？ It was a fun time for us girls. 我们女孩子过得很愉快。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- long
- little
- …
- amount
- length
- period
- …
- have
- need
- give somebody/something
- …
- be up
- run out
- frame
- interval
- period
- …
- at a time
- for a time
- in time
- …
- all in good time
- all the time
- the entire time
- …
- [uncountable, plural]
a period of history connected with particular events or experiences in people’s lives 时期；时代；年代；世道 - at the time of something
The movie is set at the time of the Russian Revolution. 这部电影以俄国革命时期为背景。 - in… time(s)
the politician who promised ‘peace in our time’ 承诺“我们时代的和平”的政治家 in ancient times 在古代 The Industrial Revolution took place in Victorian times. 工业革命发生在维多利亚时代。 the violent times we live in (= the present period of history) 我们生逢的乱世 - in times of something
in times of trouble 在困难时期 The business was successful, even during difficult times. 即使在困难时期，生意也很成功。 Times are hard for the unemployed. 对失业者来说，时世艰难。 Times have changed since Grandma was young. 世易时移，现在已不是祖母年轻时那会儿了。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- great
- happy
- …
- change
- at a/the time
- before somebody’s time
- in somebody’s time
- …
- from time immemorial
- since time immemorial
- of all time
- …
- at the time of something
- [countable]
an occasion when you do something or when something happens 次；回 Every time I hear that song I feel happy. 我每次听到那首歌都感到很愉快。 It doesn't matter if you don't win every time (= every time you play). 每次都不赢也没关系。 Next time you're here let's have lunch together. 下次你到这里来，咱们一起吃午饭。 He failed his driving test three times. 他考了三次驾驶执照都没通过。 He's determined to pass this time. 这一回他决心要考及格。 When was the last time you saw her? 你上次是什么时候见到她的？ I see her two or three times a week. 我一周见她两三次。 How many times (= how often) do I have to tell you not to do that? 我得要跟你说多少回不要做那种事？ - (especially North American English)
I remember one time (= once) we had to abandon our car in the snow. 我记得有一次我们迫于无奈把汽车丢弃在雪地里。 - (formal)
At no time did I give my consent to the plan. 我从未同意过这项计划。
Extra ExamplesFor the first time in history, more than half of us now live in cities. 有史以来第一次半数以上的人口生活在城市。 I can remember the first time I met her. 我记得第一次见到她时的情形。 I told her not to do it for the umpteenth time. 我无数次告诉她不要做那件事。 I've told you countless times. 我已经告诉你无数遍了。 The chairlift can take four people at a time. 索道吊椅一次可载 4 人。 three times out of ten 10 次中有 3 次 There were times—sometimes whole weeks—when I thought it wasn't worth trying to complete the project. 有时候－有时是整个星期－我都觉得努力完成这个项目是不值得的。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- that
- this
- final
- …
- couple
- number
- remember
- bide
- come
- be ripe
- at a/the time
- by the time
- for the… time
- …
- at the present time
- for the time being
- a number of times
- …
- [countable]
an event or occasion that you experience in a particular way （以某种方式经历的）事件，时刻 Did you have a good time in Spain? 你在西班牙过得愉快吗？ They're having a hard time dealing with her illness. 他们很难对付她的病。 I had an awful time in the hospital. 我住院的日子可真难熬。 Mike and I shared some really good times. 迈克和我曾共同度过一段很美好的时光。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- enjoyable
- fun
- good
- …
- have
- enjoy
- [countable, uncountable]
how long somebody takes to run a race or complete an event （完成赛跑或竞赛项目的）所用时间 The winner's time was 11.6 seconds. 获胜者的时间是 11.6 秒。 She completed the 500 metres in record time (= faster than any previous runner). 她以破纪录的时间跑完了 500 米。 one of the fastest times ever 历来最快的成绩之一
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- fast
- record
- clock up
- record
- trial
- [uncountable]
the number of beats (= units of rhythm) in a bar of music 拍子；节拍 This piece is in four-four time. 这首乐曲为四分之四拍。 a slow waltz time 缓慢的华尔兹节拍 The conductor beat time with a baton. 指挥用指挥棒打拍子。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- waltz
- double
- quick
- …
- beat
- keep
- signature
- in time
- in time to
- in time with
- …
- [uncountable]
the correct speed and rhythm of a piece of music （乐曲正确的）速度，节奏 - in time to something
Try and dance in time to the music (= with the same speed and rhythm). 要跟上音乐的节奏跳舞。 Clap your hands to keep time (= sing or move with the correct speed and rhythm). 拍手以保持节奏。 - in/out of time
to play in/out of time (= follow/not follow the correct speed and rhythm) 演奏得合／不合节奏 He always plays in perfect time. 他演奏的节奏总是准确无误。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- waltz
- double
- quick
- …
- beat
- keep
- signature
- in time
- in time to
- in time with
- …
- in time to something
minutes/hours/years, etc.分钟、小时、年等
period时间段
occasion/event次；事件
for race赛跑
in music音乐
Word OriginOld English tīma, of Germanic origin; related to tide, which it superseded in temporal senses. The earliest of the current verb senses (dating from late Middle English) is ‘do (something) at a particular moment’.
Idioms
(and) about time (too) | (and) not before time
used to say that something should have happened before now 早该发生；早该如此
against time
ahead of/behind time
ahead of your time
having advanced or new ideas that other people use or copy later 超越时代的；有超前意识的；具有前瞻性的
all the time | the whole time
at all times
at the best of times
at the same time
at a time
at my, your, his, etc. time of life
at times
beat time (to something)
to mark or follow the rhythm of music, by waving a stick, tapping your foot (= hitting it against the floor), etc. （随着音乐）打拍子
before my, your, his, etc. time
happening before you were born or can remember or before you lived, worked, etc. somewhere 在…出生（或记事、在世、工作等）之前 before the usual time in somebody’s life when something happens 过早；提前
behind the times
old-fashioned in your ideas, methods, etc. （思想、方法等）落伍，过时，陈旧
be in the right place at the right time
to be able to take advantage of opportunities when they come 同时；一起 His success was down to being in the right place at the right time. 他的成功之处就在于把握住了时机。
be (living) on borrowed time
to still be alive after the time when you were expected to die 活过寿限；大限已近 He’s been living on borrowed time ever since his last heart attack. 自从上次心脏病发作以来，他一直靠借来的时间生活。
to be doing something that other people are likely to soon stop you from doing 做很快就会遭到制止的事；好景不长 According to the latest opinion polls, the government is living on borrowed time. 根据最新的民意调查，政府靠借来的时间生活。
better luck next time
- (informal)
used to encourage somebody who has not been successful at something （鼓励未成功的人）祝下次好运 Never mind— better luck next time. 没关系，祝你下次好运。 If you didn't win a prize, better luck next time. 如果没获奖，愿你下次好运。
bide your time
to wait for the right time to do something 等待时机 He decided to bide his time until he got an opportunity to talk to her alone. 他决定等待时机，直到有机会单独和她谈谈。
buy time
to do something in order to delay an event, a decision, etc. 拖延时间 The negotiators kept the gunman talking to buy time for the hostages. 谈判者不断让持枪歹徒说话，以便为人质争取时间。
call time (on something)
- (British English)
to say or decide that it is time for something to finish 宣布结束；决定结束
a devil of a job/time
do time
- (informal)
to spend time in prison 坐牢；蹲监狱
every time
for old times’ sake
if you do something for old times’ sake, you do it because it is connected with something good that happened to you in the past 看在旧日的情分上；念及老交情
for the time being
for a short period of time but not permanently 暂时；眼下
from that time/day forth
- (literary)
beginning on that day; from that time 从那天起；从那时以后 From that time forth she gave me endless friendship and encouragement. 从那时起，她给了我无尽的友谊和鼓励。
from time to time
occasionally but not regularly 不时；有时；偶尔；间或
gain time
to delay something so that you can have more time to make a decision, deal with a problem, etc. （通过拖延）赢得时间
give somebody a hard time
give me something/somebody (any day/time)
- (informal)
used to say that you prefer a particular thing or person to the one that has just been mentioned 我宁愿；我更喜欢；我宁可选择
have an easy time (of it)
to have no difficulties or problems 日子好过；过得舒适；毫无困难 He’s had an easy time of it since he married Lucy. 自从和露西结婚后，他过得很轻松。
have a high old time
- (old-fashioned, informal)
to enjoy yourself very much 过得很快乐；玩得痛快
have a lot of time for somebody/something
- (informal, especially British English)
to like and be interested in somebody/something 喜欢；对…感兴趣；愿意为…花时间 I've always had a lot of time for Mary. 我总是有很多时间陪玛丽。
have no time for somebody/something | not have much time for somebody/something
- (informal)
to dislike somebody/something 不喜欢；讨厌；不愿为…花时间
have a thin time (of it)
- (British English, informal)
to have many problems or difficulties to deal with; to not be successful 遇到许多麻烦；过得不顺 He’s had a thin time of it since losing his job. 自从失业以来，他日子过得很不好。
have the time of your life
- (informal)
to enjoy yourself very much 过得很快乐；玩得痛快
have time on your hands | have time to kill
- (informal)
to have nothing to do or not be busy 无所事事；没事可干；闲着
have a whale of a time
- (informal)
to enjoy yourself very much; to have a very good time 玩得很痛快；过得非常快活 The kids had a whale of a time at the theme park. 孩子们在主题公园玩得很开心。
in the course of time
when enough time has passed 总有一天；最后；终于
in the fullness of time
when the time is appropriate, usually after a long period 在适当时候，时机成熟时（尤指久待之后） I have no doubt that she’ll tell us in the fullness of time. 我毫不怀疑她会在适当的时候告诉我们。
in good time
early; with enough time so that you are not in a hurry 及早；有足够的时间 Get to the airport in good time. 早早到机场。
(all) in good time
in the nick of time
- (informal)
at the very last moment; just before something bad happens, so that you manage to avoid it, but only just 在最后一刻；紧要关头；恰是时候 They escaped from the smoke-filled house just in the nick of time. 他们正好在紧要关头从烟雾弥漫的房子里逃了出来。
in (less than/next to) no time
in olden times
(also in the olden days)
a long time ago in the past 顺应时代；顺应潮流 In olden times people would gather in town squares to gossip and exchange stories. 在古代，人们会聚集在城镇的广场上闲聊和交换故事。
in your own sweet time/way
in your own (good) time
in your own time
in your free time and not when you usually work or study 在业余时间；在空闲时
in time
after a period of time when a situation has changed 经过一段时间之后；迟早；最后；终于 They learned to accept their stepmother in time. 过了一段时间之后他们学着接受他们的继母。 You'll get used to the work in time. 你迟早会适应这份工作的。
in time (for something/to do something)
not late; with enough time to be able to do something 来得及；及时 Will we be in time for the six o'clock train? 我们来得及赶上六点钟的那趟火车吗？ The ambulance got there just in time (= to save somebody's life). 救护车及时赶到那里。
it’s about/high time
it’s just/only a matter of time (before…)
used to say that something will definitely happen, although you are not sure when 早晚的事；只是时间问题 It's only a matter of time before they bring out their own version of the software. 他们推出自己的软件只是个时间问题。
keep up/move with the times
to change and develop your ideas, way of working, etc. so that you do what is modern and what is expected 跟上时代；跟着潮流 Many complained that the Royal Family had failed to move with the times. 很多人抱怨皇室没能与时俱进。
kill time | kill an hour, a couple of hours, etc.
long time no see
- (informal)
used to say hello to somebody you have not seen for a long time 好久不见了
make good, etc. time
make up for lost time
to do something quickly or very often because you wish you had started doing it sooner （加快或加紧做某事以）弥补失去的时间 I’ll have to work hard now to make up for lost time. 我现在必须努力工作来弥补失去的时间。
many a time | many’s the time (that)…
- (old-fashioned)
many times; frequently 多次；常常；屡屡
mark time
to pass the time while you wait for something more interesting 等待时机 (of soldiers 士兵 to make marching movements without moving forwards 原地踏步
(the) next, first, second, etc. time round
nine times out of ten | ninety-nine times out of a hundred
ninety-nine times out of a hundred
almost always 总是；随时；永远
(and) not before time | (and) about time (too)
used to say that something should have happened before now 早该发生；早该如此
not give somebody the time of day
(there is) no time like the present
- (saying)
now is the best time to do something, not in the future 现在是做…的最佳时机；现在不做更待何时
of all time
that has ever existed 自古以来；有史以来；从未有过
once upon a time
on time
at the arranged or correct time; not late 为…安排时间；选择…的时机
pass the time of day (with somebody)
to say hello to somebody and have a short conversation with them （与某人）寒暄，打招呼，闲谈一会儿
play for time
to find or create reasons why something has to be delayed, often so you have longer to prepare for it 喜欢；对…感兴趣；愿意为…花时间 His legal team, clearly playing for time, sought to have the case heard a month later. 他的法律团队显然在拖延时间，试图在一个月后审理此案。
a race against time/the clock
a situation in which you have to do something or finish something very fast before it is too late 和时间赛跑；抢时间；争分夺秒 Getting food to the starving refugees is now a race against time. 给饥饿的难民送食物现在是与时间赛跑。
a sign of the times
something that you feel shows what things are like now, especially how bad they are 时代特征（含贬义） The increasing number of people owning guns is an alarming sign of the times. 拥有枪支的人越来越多，这是一个令人担忧的时代标志。
a stitch in time (saves nine)
- (saying)
it is better to deal with something immediately because if you wait it may become worse or more difficult and cause extra work 及时缝一针能省九针；小洞及时补，免遭大洞苦
take it/things one day at a time
take your time (over something) | take your time to do something/doing something
take time out
to spend some time away from your usual work or activity in order to rest or do something else instead 抽出时间（暂停工作或活动）；忙里偷闲 Synonyms restrest- break
- respite
- time out
- breathing space
- rest a period of relaxing, sleeping or doing nothing after a period of activity:
We stopped for a well-earned rest. 我们停下来作个应有的休息。
- break a short period of time when you stop what you are doing and rest or eat:
Let’s take a break. 咱们休息会儿吧。
- respite a short break from something difficult or unpleasant:
The drug brought a brief respite from the pain. 药物暂时缓解了疼痛。
- time out (especially North American English, informal) time for resting or relaxing away from your usual work or studies:
Take time out to relax by the pool. 去游泳池边歇一歇吧。
- breathing space a short rest in the middle of a period of mental or physical effort:
This delay gives the party a breathing space in which to sort out its policies. 这一延误使该党有了喘息之机来厘定其政策。
- (a) rest/break/respite/time out from something
- to have/take (a) rest/break/time out
- to give somebody (a) rest/break/respite/breathing space
there’s a first time for everything
- (saying, humorous)
the fact that something has not happened before does not mean that it will never happen 没有发生的事情并不意味着永远不会发生；什么事情都有第一次
third time lucky
(US English third time is the charm)
used when you have failed to do something twice and hope that you will succeed the third time （但愿）第三次交好运；过一过二不过三
time after time | time and (time) again
often; on many or all occasions 一次又一次；一再；屡屡；总是 You will get a perfect result time after time if you follow these instructions. 如果你遵循这些用法说明，每次都会得到最佳的效果。 Time and again, the girls have shown how strong and determined they can be. 一次又一次，女孩们展示了她们有多坚强和决心。
time and a half
one and a half times the usual rate of pay 通常工资的一倍半 We get time and a half on Sundays. 星期天我们有一个半小时的时间。
time flies
time is money
- (saying)
time is valuable, and should not be wasted 时间就是金钱；一寸光阴一寸金
time is on your side
used to say that somebody can wait for something to happen or can wait before doing something 有的是时间（等待某事发生或做某事）
time was (when)…
- (old-fashioned)
used to say that something used to happen in the past 曾经有那么个时候…；那年头… Time was when you could go for a walk in the country and not see another person for miles. 过去你可以在乡间散步走上好几英里也看不到一个人。 Time was when we never needed to lock our house at night. 以前我们晚上从来不需要锁门。
time (alone) will tell | only time will tell
the whole time | all the time
during the whole of a particular period of time （在某段时间内）一直，始终 My keys were in my pocket the whole time (= while I was looking for them). 我的钥匙一直在口袋里。
very often; repeatedly 经常；总是；老是 He drums his fingers on the table the whole time—it's very annoying. 他一直用手指敲桌子——这很烦人。