(only) time will tell
idiom
—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, but the NBA rumor mill is working overtime ahead of the draft.
—
Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Only time will tell, but there is a reason that Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG and more are all desperate to find out.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Only time will tell how the shade inclusivity narrative changes through 2025 and beyond.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 June 2025
Only time will tell, then, if this year’s demonstrations will achieve their goals.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for (only) time will tell
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Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
Only time will tell, but there is a reason that Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG and more are all desperate to find out.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Only time will tell how the shade inclusivity narrative changes through 2025 and beyond.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 June 2025
Only time will tell, then, if this year’s demonstrations will achieve their goals.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for (only) time will tell
Cite this Entry
“(only) time will tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28only%29%20time%20will%20tell. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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