recoup time

USAGE SUMMARY

'recoup time' is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about regaining or recovering time that has been lost. For example, "I need to recoup time after being delayed in traffic this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The artist said he will sell 100 special edition versions of which he will sell for $100 each in order "to help recoup time and costs associated with this project".

The Guardian

The Tour ends on Sunday night in Paris, but Saturday's 33.2-mile individual race against the clock was effectively the last chance for rivals to recoup time on Wiggins, who will, barring illness or a crash, become the first Briton to win this race.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Well we've all had our fill of tex-mex and showcase queues for another year and its time to settle in and recoup in time for the summer festivals.

BBC

They extended the competition so he could recoup playing time lost to a sprained ankle.

The New York Times - Sports

On July 16 and 17, the race goes into the Pyrenees mountains for demanding stages that finish at altitude, meaning there will be no descent for a rider to recoup lost time after the final climb.

The New York Times - Sports

Chief executive Ruslan Kogan told the BBC he wanted to recoup the time and costs involved in "rendering the website into a antique browser".

BBC

[Kogan's] Chief executive Ruslan Kogan told the BBC he wanted to recoup the time and costs involved in 'rendering the website into a antique browser'.

Forbes

"You can never recoup the time you lose in the media cycle.

Los Angeles Times

If so, there is usually guidance on how to proceed in the future to recoup this time.

HuffPost

The old Hollywood model of needing to recoup three times the production cost at the box office to make a profit is long gone.

The New York Times

The jury did find, however, that Merck violated New Jersey's consumer fraud law, so Mr. Hermans's family could recoup three times what he paid for Vioxx prescriptions, plus about $2 million in costs and fees his lawyer requested.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "recoup time", consider the context carefully. It's best suited for situations where time has been lost due to unforeseen circumstances or delays, and there's a need to make up for it.

Common error

Avoid using "recoup time" when simply trying to use time efficiently. The phrase implies a previous loss that needs to be compensated for, not just general productivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recoup time" functions as a verb phrase where "recoup" is the verb, meaning to regain or recover, and "time" is the noun, referring to the resource being regained. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis, indicating its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "recoup time" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe the act of regaining lost time. While Ludwig confirms its validity and provides several examples, it's important to use it in appropriate contexts, where a genuine loss of time has occurred. Alternative phrases like "make up for lost time" or "recover lost time" can be used depending on the nuances you intend to convey. Keep in mind the phrase carries a neutral register appropriate in professional and everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make up for lost time

Emphasizes compensating for time that was unproductive or unavailable.

recover lost time

Focuses on regaining time that has been lost or wasted.

gain back the time

Focuses on the aspect of winning back the lost opportunity.

catch up on time

Highlights the act of getting back on schedule or reaching a desired point after a delay.

reclaim the time

Underscores the act of asserting control and retrieving previously lost time.

regain ground

Implies recovering from a setback, often in a competitive or challenging situation.

get back on track

Focuses on resuming a planned course of action after a disruption or delay.

turn things around

Suggests a significant change in circumstances, leading to a more positive outcome.

make headway

Emphasizes progress despite challenges or obstacles.

close the gap

Implies reducing a difference or deficit, often in a competitive or comparative context.

FAQs

How can I use "recoup time" in a sentence?

You can use "recoup time" in sentences like: "The team needed to work overtime to "recoup time" lost due to the equipment malfunction" or "After the delay, we tried to "recoup time" by streamlining the process".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "recoup time"?

Phrases with similar meanings include "make up for lost time", "recover lost time", and "catch up on time".

Is "recoup time" formal or informal?

"Recoup time" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation. It's generally appropriate for professional settings, but also works in casual conversations.

When is it inappropriate to use "recoup time"?

It may be inappropriate to use "recoup time" in situations where no actual time was lost, but simply where there's an effort to optimize or improve efficiency. The phrase implies a need to recover from a deficit.