it's high time

USAGE SUMMARY

'it's high time' is a valid and usable phrase in written English
You can use it when you want to emphasize that it is past the time to take action on something. For example: "It's high time we stop ignoring the climate crisis and start taking action to save our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's high time Labour got its act together.

Independent

It's high time biomedicine cleaned up its act, says Simon Festing.

New Scientist

It's high time the United States' actions matched its words.

The New York Times

It's high time.

The New York Times

Politicians think it's high time.

The New York Times - Arts

It's high time we accepted this one.

The New York Times - Books

It's high time to circle the wagons.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's high time for a Pancake revival.

The New Yorker

It's high time we saw some changes".

The Guardian

It's high time for a mini-hybrid.

The New York Times

And it's high time we all accepted that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's high time" to express that an action is overdue and needs immediate attention. For instance, "It's high time the government addressed the issue of climate change."

Common error

Avoid using "it's high time" in very formal or academic writing where more direct language might be preferred. While acceptable in many contexts, consider whether a more straightforward statement of urgency would be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it's high time" is to act as an idiomatic expression indicating that something should have happened or been done earlier. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is widely recognized and used in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it's high time" is a commonly used idiomatic expression to indicate that something is overdue and requires immediate action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's best to reserve it for situations where a sense of urgency or gentle impatience is appropriate. Alternatives like "it's about time" or "it's overdue" can be used, depending on the desired nuance. Avoid using it in highly formal or academic settings where direct language might be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's about time

Emphasizes that an event should have occurred sooner; less formal.

it's time

A more direct and less emphatic version of the original phrase.

it's overdue

Highlights that something is past its expected time.

the time is ripe

Focuses on the opportunity being perfect for something to happen.

the moment is at hand

Emphasizes the imminence and readiness for action.

it is imperative

Stresses the critical necessity of taking action now.

it is crucial

Highlights the importance and urgency of a situation.

it is essential

Similar to "it is crucial", but with a slightly different nuance.

now is the time

A call to action emphasizing the present moment.

the clock is ticking

Implies a sense of urgency due to limited time.

FAQs

How can I use "it's high time" in a sentence?

Use "it's high time" to indicate that something should have been done earlier and needs to be addressed promptly. For example, "It's high time we started recycling in this office."

What does "it's high time" actually mean?

"It's high time" is an idiom that means it is overdue or past the ideal moment to do something. It implies a sense of urgency or that a delay has already occurred.

What can I say instead of "it's high time"?

You can use alternatives like "it's about time", "it's time", or "it's overdue" depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "it's high time" formal or informal?

"It's high time" is generally considered to be neutral in tone. While suitable for many contexts, it might be best to avoid it in very formal academic or professional writing in favor of more direct phrasing.