make it on time

USAGE SUMMARY

'make it on time' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone to arrive somewhere before a certain deadline. For example, "If you want to attend the meeting, make it on time; it starts at 10am sharp."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Usually these courses are held on our own premises, but if the same site needs to train several people, we go to them... and in this case anything can happen: The courier couldn't make it on time and there are no manuals or reagents; one of the customers has a meeting at tea time or the other one needs to prepare a reaction.

Science Magazine

Eager to make it on time to a performance at her daughter's school one night, Ms. Riley-Reid got off a stalled train in Newark and took a taxi.

The New York Times

[With] the suppliers, if you are dealing with more than one person, you can be guaranteed that Xpercentt will not make it on time".

The Guardian - Business

Dacher Keltner: Make it on time.

University of California, Berkeley

We didn't make it on time.

The Washington Post

If you start walking now, you'll make it on time and won't need parking.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

She made it on time.

The New York Times - Tech

I made it on time for the plane.

The New York Times

This time she made it on time, and not for the test.

The New York Times

Evacuation centres were also very organised, with relief goods making it on time, said Ramos.

The Guardian

Luzardo made it on time, anyway, but arrived in Mesa with a plan to help.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling appointments or deadlines, clearly state the expected arrival or completion time to help others "make it on time".

Common error

Avoid committing to meetings or tasks with tight deadlines if you haven't factored in travel time, potential traffic, or other unexpected delays that could prevent you from "make it on time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it on time" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the ability to arrive at a destination or complete a task before a specified deadline. It conveys successful time management and punctuality, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make it on time" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that means arriving at a destination or completing a task before a specific deadline. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While primarily neutral in register, its usage implies potential challenges needing overcoming to achieve punctuality. Remember to factor in potential delays and be realistic when committing to deadlines to increase your chances of succeeding to "make it on time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach on time

Synonymous, focuses on the action of reaching the destination at the specified time.

get there in time

Similar meaning, but uses "get" instead of "make" and emphasizes the arrival.

not be late

Expresses the same idea by focusing on avoiding lateness.

arrive punctually

Focuses on the act of arriving at the exact expected moment without delay.

keep to time

Expresses keeping to schedule or plan.

be there on schedule

Highlights adherence to a predefined timetable or itinerary.

be punctual

A more formal way of expressing the importance of timeliness.

meet the deadline

Emphasizes completing a task or reaching a goal before the final permissible time.

adhere to the schedule

A more formal phrasing for sticking to the plan.

hit the mark

Suggests that you are on track with goals to be achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "make it on time" in a sentence?

You can use "make it on time" to express the ability to arrive or complete something by a specific deadline. For example, "If you leave now, you should "make it on time" for your appointment."

What does "make it on time" mean?

"Make it on time" means to arrive at a location or complete a task before a specified deadline or scheduled time. It implies punctuality and the successful management of time.

Which is more appropriate: "make it on time" or "be on time"?

Both phrases are appropriate, but "be on time" is a more direct and general statement about punctuality. "Make it on time" implies a potential challenge or effort to arrive by the deadline. For example, if you need to hurry, "make it on time"!

What are some similar phrases to "make it on time"?

Similar phrases include "arrive punctually", "be there on schedule", and "meet the deadline", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.