time poisons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time poisons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used metaphorically to suggest that time has a negative effect on something, such as relationships or memories. Example: "As the years passed, I realized that time poisons the sweetness of our shared moments, leaving only bittersweet memories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Time" poisons.

The New Yorker

Never cook and clean at the same time; poisons may contaminate food.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At the same time, "Poisoning the Press" is one of the grimmest, most Hobbesian books I've ever read, a master class in gutter politics.

The New York Times - Books

Industry documents show that 6 percent of the wells leak immediately and that 60 percent leak over time, poisoning drinking water and putting the powerful greenhouse gas methane into our atmosphere.

The New York Times

HONG KONG — A month after large batches of Chinese baby formula were found to contain dangerous levels of mercury, state media outlets reported Monday that the authorities have discovered more shipments of contaminated formula, this time poisoned with a cancer-causing toxin.

The New York Times

Once dubbed the "crackberry", as a self-confessed addict at the time (poison of choice, the Bold 9700) there really was nothing to compare to the Berry's slick design, BBM messenger system and synonymous red-light text alerts back in the late Noughties when the world simply couldn't put them down.

Independent

Reacting to Britain's formal request for his extradition in May 2007, Mr Lugovoi said: "They [Britain] think that they found a Russian James Bond that penetrates nuclear facilities and, in cold blood, poisons his friend, and at the same time poisoning himself, his friends, his wife and children".

BBC

According to a team of researchers, that outbreak was caused by the least suspenseful thing of all time: poisoned plankton.

Huffington Post

In the same way, we look at the way we are profiting from this trade and at the same time, poisoning weak infidels and ultimately destroying their lives, and we are thankful to God.

Vice

Over the past three weeks the inquiry has heard damning evidence which suggests Lugovoi smuggled polonium to Britain three times, poisoning Litvinenko in November 2006 during a meeting with him at a Mayfair hotel.

The Guardian

With chemicals, you can enhance food, murder insects, and make tiny rocks of fun-time poison known as "meth".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “time poisons” to convey a subtle, almost insidious degradation caused by the passage of time. It's particularly effective when describing abstract concepts like relationships or ideals.

Common error

Avoid using “time poisons” in situations where a direct, literal description of poisoning is more appropriate. The phrase's metaphorical strength lies in its subtlety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “time poisons” functions as a subject-verb construction where “time” acts as the subject and “poisons” as the verb. It metaphorically describes time as an agent that corrupts or degrades, as suggested by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “time poisons” is a grammatically correct, albeit uncommon, expression that suggests time has a corrupting or degrading influence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its usage is mostly found in News & Media and Wiki sources. While not frequently used, it effectively conveys a subtle, insidious process of decay over time, particularly in abstract contexts. Alternative phrases like "time corrupts" or "time erodes" can be used to similar effect, depending on the nuance desired. When employing this phrase, it's best to avoid literal interpretations and instead focus on its metaphorical strength to describe the negative effects of time on relationships, ideals, or other abstract concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time corrupts

Focuses on moral or ethical degradation over time, shifting from physical to abstract deterioration.

time erodes

Emphasizes a gradual wearing away or diminishing effect of time, highlighting the slow decline.

time degrades

Stresses a decline in quality or condition over time, more general than "erodes".

time tarnishes

Suggests a loss of luster or reputation due to time, focusing on appearance or perception.

time decays

Highlights the process of rotting or decomposition over time, emphasizing biological decline.

time withers

Focuses on the loss of freshness or vitality over time, often used in relation to living things.

time diminishes

Highlights the reduction in value or importance, focusing on what is lost over time.

time fades

Emphasizes a gradual loss of color or intensity, often related to memories or images.

time wreaks havoc

Highlights the destructive and chaotic impact of time, more dramatic than "poisons".

time takes its toll

General expression referring to the negative cumulative effect of time.

FAQs

How can I use “time poisons” in a sentence?

You can use “time poisons” to describe how the effects of time can be destructive or corrosive, especially on abstract concepts. For instance, "As the years passed, I realized that "time poisons" the sweetness of our shared moments, leaving only bittersweet memories."

What does “time poisons” mean?

“Time poisons” is a metaphorical expression suggesting that time has a detrimental or corrupting influence on something, slowly damaging or degrading it over time.

What can I say instead of “time poisons”?

You can use alternatives like "time corrupts", "time erodes", or "time degrades" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is “time poisons” a common expression?

No, “time poisons” is not a very common expression. While grammatically correct, it's a more poetic or literary way of describing the effects of time. More common phrases might include "time takes its toll" or "time heals all wounds" (when referring to positive effects).