hours flew by

USAGE SUMMARY

"hours flew by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe how quickly time seemed to pass. For example, "I can't believe how quickly the summer flew by. It seemed like it was here one minute and gone the next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Laird found that the 10 hours flew by.

The Guardian - Sport

It would be customary to say that the five hours flew by.

The New York Times - Arts

The hours flew by and Cunningham had a new vocation: "In any free moment, look about and draw".

The New York Times - Books

That event's general spirit of joie de vivre was a good match for the title Reitman picked; the two and a half hours flew by.

The Guardian - Film

And yet three exhilarating hours flew by in what seemed like five minutes, with Ms. Carey keenly spotting bugs flitting above the river's surface and the branches of the trees bobbing in the wind.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the parents grilled the counselors: "Is he wearing his retainer?" "Has he practiced his math problems?" Baseball, canoeing, archery, water skiing, tennis, wood shop -- the hours flew by in a blur.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Three-and-a-half hours fly by.

The Guardian

The minutes, the hours fly by".

The New York Times - Arts

Start it, and watch the hours fly by.

The New York Times

Aside from the odd caffeine-withdrawal headache, the next 48 hours fly by.

Independent

A few hours fly by and it's time to head home, but now how was your long weekend?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "hours flew by" to effectively convey a sense of enjoyment or deep engagement in an activity, which makes time pass quickly. For example, "The project was so interesting that the "hours flew by" while I was working on it."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "hours flew by" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. While grammatically correct, it leans towards informal language and may not be appropriate. Instead, use more neutral alternatives like "time passed quickly" or "the duration elapsed rapidly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hours flew by" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the swift passage of time. According to Ludwig AI, it is typically used to describe how quickly time seemed to pass. The examples in Ludwig highlight this use, showing it often accompanies enjoyable or engaging activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Huffington Post

9%

Vice

9%

Less common in

The Guardian

3%

Wikipedia

1%

The New Yorker

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hours flew by" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable idiom that effectively conveys the swift passage of time. According to Ludwig AI, it is typically used to describe how quickly time seemed to pass. Predominantly found in News & Media, Huffington Post and Vice, its usage suggests a neutral register suitable for various narrative contexts. While grammatically correct, it is less appropriate for formal academic or business writing. For best practices, use it to emphasize the enjoyable or engaging nature of an activity that made time pass quickly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time passed quickly

This alternative offers a more straightforward way to express that time moved fast.

time slipped away

This implies a subtle and almost unnoticed passing of time.

time went by in a flash

This phrase emphasizes the suddenness and brevity of the time that passed.

the hours evaporated

This paints a picture of time disappearing, highlighting its fleeting nature.

time dissolved

Suggests time lost its structure or solidity, passing quickly.

hours vanished

Implies a quick and complete disappearance of time.

the hours melted away

Uses a vivid image to show how time gently and quickly disappeared.

time sped by

A direct and simple way to say time moved very fast.

the hours raced

This suggests that time was actively moving at a high velocity.

time blurred

Implies that the time passed in a way that was not clearly perceived.

FAQs

How can I use "hours flew by" in a sentence?

You can use "hours flew by" to describe an experience where time seemed to pass very quickly, often due to enjoyment or engagement. For instance, "The concert was so captivating that the "hours flew by"."

What does "hours flew by" mean?

The phrase "hours flew by" means that a period of time, specifically several hours, passed very quickly. It suggests that the time was enjoyable or that one was deeply involved in an activity, causing the time to seem shorter than it was.

Which is correct, "hours flew by" or "hours fly by"?

"Hours flew by" is in the past tense, indicating that the hours have already passed quickly. "Hours fly by" is in the present tense, suggesting that hours generally pass quickly in a given situation. Both are grammatically correct but have different meanings depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "hours flew by"?

Alternatives to "hours flew by" include phrases like "time passed quickly", "time slipped away", or "the hours evaporated". The best alternative will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.