with no time to spare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with no time to spare" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has a very limited amount of time to complete a task or reach a destination. Example: The runner crossed the finish line with no time to spare, winning the race by a mere second.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

With no time to spare, detectives lure him off the plane and arrest him.

The New York Times

She succeeded, with no time to spare, by calling all her contacts.

The Economist

With no time to spare, there was no room for creative interference, either.

The Guardian - Film

With no time to spare, Mr. Curran, who had been talking to other actors, accepted the deal.

The New York Times

With no time to spare, Ms. Vreeland coaxed dresses from museum collections and from the closets of the tiaraed heads of Europe and the queens of America's plutocracy.

The New York Times

Just as our trio was about to reach Fenway, with no time to spare, my husband made a left turn onto a busy street.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

To some younger artists, the beauty of an intricate wall done with permission — and time to spare — is no match for the adrenaline rush of fast and dirty bombing on the sly.

The New York Times

Those of you with little time to spare might wish to go straight to the race itself at 1 45.

The Guardian - Sport

I was flying into London, where I had to make a connecting flight with little time to spare.

The New York Times

Finally, with little time to spare if I was to make my plane, we ran for home.

The New York Times - Sports

We decided on "Voices of Honor" with zero time to spare.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with no time to spare" to create a sense of urgency or excitement in your writing. For example, "They finished the project with no time to spare, just before the deadline."

Common error

Avoid using "with no time to spare" when describing situations where there is ample time or no real deadline. It can sound overdramatic and misrepresent the scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with no time to spare" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or circumstances of an action. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes situations where time is extremely limited.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

17%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with no time to spare" is a common phrase used to convey a sense of urgency and near deadline completion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It functions as an adverbial phrase and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's important to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in situations where there is no real time constraint. Alternatives such as "just in time" or "at the last minute" can be used to express a similar meaning. The phrase enjoys strong support from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the nick of time

Similar to "just in time", emphasizing the fortunate and timely arrival or completion.

just in time

This alternative focuses on the successful arrival or completion of something before it's too late.

pressed for time

This phrase indicates a general state of being short on time and needing to hurry.

at the last minute

This alternative emphasizes the timing of an action being performed very close to a deadline.

under a tight deadline

Focuses on the constraint imposed by a limited timeframe.

against the clock

This alternative conveys a sense of racing to complete something before a deadline.

with little time remaining

This phrase highlights the scarcity of time left before a deadline or event.

with the clock ticking

This suggests that time is running out and creating a sense of urgency.

barely making it

This alternative underscores the difficulty and narrow margin of success in meeting a deadline.

on a short fuse

This alternative illustrates the limited amount of time to complete something

FAQs

How can I use "with no time to spare" in a sentence?

Use "with no time to spare" to emphasize that an action was completed or a goal was achieved at the very last moment, leaving almost no room for error or delay. For example, "The ambulance arrived "just in time", with no time to spare, to save the patient's life."

What does "with no time to spare" mean?

The expression "with no time to spare" means that something happened or was accomplished at the last possible moment, leaving virtually no extra time or margin for error. It indicates a situation of urgency and narrow escape.

What can I say instead of "with no time to spare"?

Alternatives to "with no time to spare" include phrases like "just in time", "at the last minute", or "in the nick of time". These phrases all convey a similar sense of urgency and near deadline completion.

Is it correct to say "with little time to spare"?

Yes, "with little time to spare" is also a correct and commonly used phrase. It means that there was some time available, but not much. It's less urgent than "with no time to spare", which implies there was almost no time left.