Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.
10th March 2024

(It's) about time

We use this expression to say we feel something should have happened much earlier.
Usage
Written: 
Yes
Spoken: 
Yes
Formal: 
No
Informal: 
Yes
Example 1
Here's the letter you asked me to write.
It's about time! I asked you for that ages ago!
Sorry.
Example 2
They've finished the new supermarket in the city centre.
About time! They were working on it for years!

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