the time is up
idiom
: the allowed period of time has ended
When the time was up, the teacher told the students to put down their pencils and hand in their tests.
Examples of the time is up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once the time is up, rinse the cleaner and reapply if necessary, but try not to use an abrasive scrubber to keep the surface scratch-free.
—
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
This means the time is up for Trevor Penning, a 2022 first-round pick, at tackle.
—Larry Holder, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Stop when the time is up, so the process feels manageable rather than exhausting.
2.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 2 Apr. 2025
However, these appliances usually come with an automatic shutoff timer that will turn the stovetop off when the time is up or incase of a spill.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024
When the time is up, turn off the heat and let the jars sit in the water for 5-10 minutes.
—Lindsey Desoto, Rd, Health, 29 Oct. 2024
When the time is up, Margaret will choose who gets to tell her story.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024
But, when the time is up, there’s only one possible outcome.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
When the time is up, remove the strips, brush your teeth, and repeat for two weeks.
—Korin Miller, wsj.com, 20 Sep. 2023
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Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 2 May 2025
This means the time is up for Trevor Penning, a 2022 first-round pick, at tackle.
—Larry Holder, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Stop when the time is up, so the process feels manageable rather than exhausting.
2.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 2 Apr. 2025
However, these appliances usually come with an automatic shutoff timer that will turn the stovetop off when the time is up or incase of a spill.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024
When the time is up, turn off the heat and let the jars sit in the water for 5-10 minutes.
—Lindsey Desoto, Rd, Health, 29 Oct. 2024
When the time is up, Margaret will choose who gets to tell her story.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024
But, when the time is up, there’s only one possible outcome.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
When the time is up, remove the strips, brush your teeth, and repeat for two weeks.
—Korin Miller, wsj.com, 20 Sep. 2023
Cite this Entry
“The time is up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20time%20is%20up. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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