borrow some time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borrow some time" is correct and usable in written English
It can be used to refer to asking for additional time to complete a task or project, or to refer to taking additional time out of one's day for relaxation or other activities. For example, "I'm too busy to take a break right now, but I will borrow some time tomorrow to catch up on the rest of my work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is also likely that GE Capital will find it more expensive to borrow for some time to come.

The Economist

LTCM had borrowed some 50 times its capital.

The Economist

Some borrow to buy time, hoping that the government will reverse its restrictions on multiple home purchases and prices will pick up.

The Economist

Sheringham does not want to model himself on his managers but he does find himself unwittingly borrowing some of their techniques at times.

The Guardian - Sport

Can I borrow the time machine again?

The Guardian - Music

Little L.A. Untangling the mess In his anecdotage Twister coming ReprintsSince debt has fallen to only 31.6% of GDP, the government can borrow quite heavily for some time to finance investment without breaching the first rule.

The Economist

Most people, however, need to borrow or save at some time in their life from taking out a student loan or home mortgage to paying into a savings account or a pension fund.

The Economist

It got him some borrowed time.' But when Gately came out, even the Sun supported him.

The Guardian

It will be filled with recipes -- some borrowed from other Time Inc. magazines like Cooking Light and Southern Living -- and how-to articles on topics like crafts, all delivered in a generally positive outlook.

The New York Times

As a result, banks are hoarding their capital rather than lending it in the money markets.If banks have to borrow at penal rates for some time, the poison will spread.

The Economist

"Borrowing money would buy them some time," Mr. Sacconaghi said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Distinguish between the literal act of finding time and the idiomatic "living on borrowed time", which implies an inevitable, looming end.

Common error

While similar, "borrow some time" often implies a reallocation or a temporary reprieve, whereas "buy some time" is the standard idiom for intentionally creating a delay to gain a strategic advantage. Using 'borrow' when you mean 'stall' might be understood, but it lacks the idiomatic punch of 'buy'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borrow some time" functions as a transitive verb phrase where 'borrow' is the action, 'some' is the quantifier, and 'time' is the direct object. While Ludwig does not show exact string matches for this specific configuration in the provided snippets, it confirms that the components are grammatically standard. Ludwig AI notes that it is often used transitively to describe seeking an extension or attention.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, while the specific phrase "borrow some time" does not appear as a frequent exact match in the database, its component parts and related idioms like "living on borrowed time" are extensively documented in high-authority sources. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and versatile. Writers should use it when they want to convey the act of finding or asking for a temporary reprieve or an extension in a way that feels collaborative. It is most effective in Neutral and Professional registers, particularly when discussing strategies to handle upcoming deadlines or managing complex schedules in news and business environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

buy some time

Uses a commercial metaphor to suggest stalling or delaying an event.

gain some time

Focuses on the acquisition of extra time through effort or strategy.

carve out some time

Suggests proactively creating space in a busy schedule.

find some time

Implies looking for an available slot within existing commitments.

make some time

Indicates a deliberate effort to prioritize a specific activity.

stall for time

More specifically denotes a delay tactic to avoid a decision or action.

on borrowed time

An idiomatic expression meaning that a person or thing is likely to fail or end soon.

spare some time

Asking for a small amount of someone else's time.

postpone

A formal, single-word verb for pushing an event to a later date.

defer

A professional alternative implying a strategic or official delay.

FAQs

How to use "borrow some time" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an extension, such as: "The new funding will "buy them some time" to finish the project," or to ask for a meeting: "Could I borrow some of your time later today?"

What can I say instead of "borrow some time"?

Depending on your intent, you might use "make some time", "find the time", or "delay the process".

Which is correct, "borrow some time" or "buy some time"?

Both are correct but used differently. Use ""buy some time"" when you are stalling for a result, and "borrow some time" when you are asking for someone's attention or temporarily shifting priorities.

What is the difference between "borrow some time" and "on borrowed time"?

"borrow some time" is an active phrase about managing schedule or delays, whereas "on borrowed time" is an idiom describing a situation that is expected to end soon.