Time is up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Time is up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a specific period for an activity or task has ended. Example: "After an hour of discussion, the moderator announced that time is up for the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Time is up".

The New York Times

Time is up – he has to go".

The Guardian

"Time is up!" someone yelled.

Huffington Post

Time is Up - Havok.

WikiHow

Their time is up.

The Economist

Mathew Martoma's time is up.

The New Yorker

But our time is up.

The New Yorker

Gogglebox, your time is up.

Independent

LEHRER: Time is up.

The Washington Post

But time is up.

The Guardian - Music

Our time is up.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Time is up" to signal the definitive conclusion of an activity, ensuring clarity that no further extensions are possible. It is perfect in situations where you need to firmly enforce time boundaries, such as in debates, presentations, or exams.

Common error

Don't use "Time is up" without context; clarify what time is up for. For example, instead of just saying "Time is up", specify "Time is up for the exam" or "Time is up for questions" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Time is up" functions as an interjection or declarative statement, signaling the conclusion of a designated period or activity. It is commonly used to enforce time limits in various contexts, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Time is up" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the end of a specified period. As Ludwig AI confirms, its directness makes it versatile across various contexts, including news, academia, and everyday conversation. While generally neutral, clarifying context helps avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "time's over" or "the deadline has passed" can provide slight variations in formality. Always ensure clear communication when enforcing time limits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Time's over

A more colloquial contraction of "time is over", retaining the directness of the original phrase.

The allotted time has expired

Replaces "time" with "allotted time" and uses "expired" instead of "is up", providing a slightly more formal tone.

Our time is finished

Offers a slightly different phrasing, synonymous with time being completed.

No more time remains

Indicates that there isn't any remaining time available.

The deadline has passed

Focuses on the "deadline" aspect, indicating that the final moment for something has concluded.

That's all the time we have

Acknowledges the limit, often used when cutting off discussions or presentations.

We're out of time

Shifts the perspective to the speaker or a group, indicating that their available time has been used.

The clock has run out

Uses a metaphorical expression, highlighting the depletion of the available time.

The session is concluded

Emphasizes the termination of a meeting or session, suitable for formal settings.

The end of the period

Directly states that a specific duration has reached its conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "Time is up" in a sentence?

You can use "Time is up" to indicate the end of a designated period. For example, "The speaker was interrupted when the moderator announced, "Time is up!"".

What's a more formal way to say "Time is up"?

For a more formal alternative, consider phrases such as "the allotted time has expired" or "the deadline has passed", which are suitable for professional or academic settings.

Can "Time is up" be used in all contexts?

While generally versatile, "Time is up" is best used in contexts where a time limit is being enforced. In casual conversation, alternatives like "we're out of time" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "Time is up" and "Time's over"?

"Time is up" and "Time's over" are largely interchangeable. "Time's over" is a more colloquial contraction, while "Time is up" is slightly more formal but both serve to indicate the end of a time period.