(only) time will tell

phrase

—used to say that the results of a situation will be known only after a certain amount of time has passed

"Will he be OK?" "I don't know. Only time will tell."

Examples of (only) time will tell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Only time will tell whether Macron’s offer will satisfy European partners – or prevent them from deciding to take matters into their own hands. — Amy McAuliffe, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026

Thomson has the title and the gavel, but time will tell who’s driving the agenda — the mayor or Pearlman, founder of the development opposition group Save Boca, who ran with Grau and Sipple as a slate. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026

Friday is trash day on their street, so time will tell if those remaining space savers survive. — Logan Hall, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

Only time will tell if the color trend will spread to other Chicago alleys. — Jermont Terry, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026