time's up

USAGE SUMMARY

"time's up" is correct and usable in written English
You can use this expression to inform someone that they have reached the end of their allotted time. For example: "Okay everyone, time's up. Let's wrap up our meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

His time's up.

The New York Times

After 45 minutes it quacks, time's up.

The New York Times

There goes the buzzer, time's up.

The Guardian - Sport

He'd like to thank more but that's it, time's up.

The Guardian - Film

You know, as in... time's up!

Huffington Post

Now allow me to be your stopwatch; time's up.

Huffington Post

Set a timer so that you know when time's up.

WikiHow

Time's up, she's gone, you're on your own.

Huffington Post

Here's hoping time's up on all of it.

Huffington Post

OK, time's up.... Here's the answer: A third eye.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Oh! Time's up--where'd my day go?

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time's up" to clearly signal the conclusion of an activity, task, or discussion, ensuring everyone is aware that the allocated time has ended.

Common error

Avoid using "time's up" in extremely formal settings. Opt for phrases like "the allotted time has expired" or "the deadline has passed" for professional and academic communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time's up" functions as an interjection or a declaration to signal the end of a designated period. According to Ludwig, this expression informs someone that they have reached the end of their allotted time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time's up" is a common phrase used to indicate that an allotted period has ended. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in strictly formal contexts. Alternatives such as "the deadline has passed" may be more appropriate in professional or academic environments. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, signaling the conclusion of various activities, tasks, or discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time is over

Replaces the possessive form with a more direct statement about the conclusion of the time period.

we're out of time

A more conversational way to express that there is no time remaining.

no more time

A simple, direct way to indicate that the allotted time is finished.

the deadline has passed

More formal, emphasizing that a specific deadline was not met.

the period is over

A straightforward announcement that a designated time is completed.

the clock has run out

A more figurative way to say that the time has ended, often used in sports or games.

time has expired

A formal way to say the duration of time is finished, often used for documents.

all time is elapsed

A technical term that communicates the ending of the time frame.

that's all the time we have

A polite way to end a discussion or activity due to time constraints.

the end of the line

Figurative way to communicate the end of possibilities due to exceeding the time

FAQs

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

You can use "time's up" to indicate the end of an activity or allotted period, as in "Alright everyone, "time's up"! Please submit your papers now."

What is a more formal way to say "time's up"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "the deadline has passed" or "the allotted time has expired".

What does "time's up" mean?

"Time's up" means that the period allowed for a particular activity or task has ended and no more time is available.

Is it appropriate to use "time's up" in a professional setting?

While "time's up" is widely understood, it may be too informal for some professional environments. Consider using a more formal alternative like "the meeting is adjourned" or "we have reached our limit" depending on the context.