(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
At this point, however, only time will tell if a three-star planet makes it into a Star Wars film.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2025
Only time will tell, but April 24 will be here quickly.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
However, only time will tell if the Duchess of Sussex can make a true comeback with audiences.
—Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
Only time will tell whether this new blood clot issue stems from that.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for (only) time will tell
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2025
Only time will tell, but April 24 will be here quickly.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
However, only time will tell if the Duchess of Sussex can make a true comeback with audiences.
—Lauryn Overhultz, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
Only time will tell whether this new blood clot issue stems from that.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 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 3 May. 2025.
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