about time


(it's) about time

An expression used to emphasize that something should have occurred a long time ago. Well, it's about time you got here—I've been waiting for an hour! It's about time that high schools taught their students about basic banking and finance. A: "He finally moved out of his parents' house." B: "About time! He's 40 years old."See also: time

about time

Long past the right time; also, approximately the right time. Thus, It's about time you went to bed can mean either that you should have gone to bed much earlier (often stated with emphasis on the word time), or that now is the appropriate time for you to retire. [Early 1900s] For a synonym, see high time. See also: time

(and) about ˈtime (ˈtoo)

,

(and) not before ˈtime

(spoken) said when the speaker is pleased that something has happened but thinks that it should have happened sooner: Here comes the bus — and about time too.Julia’s been promoted, and not before time, considering the amount of work she does.See also: time