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in good time

in good time

16 3.2
Happen at the right time, neither too late nor too early
  • idiom
translation icon : en su momento
  • But all this would be decided in good time.
  • said, "in good time"
  • get to it in good time
  • come in good time

Examples

  • I had pre-booked tickets, and we got there in good time.

    Blog text (8)
  • As he hurried up the tunnel, Byrt said, "All in good time, as they say."

    Fiction book (1992)
  • We shall get his story in good time.

  • Well, I hope to be given greater responsibilities in good time.

  • It was nice of you to come in good time.

  • We shall all get there in good time; meanwhile, this is a perfect educator for the doubting Thomas.

    Blog text (30)
  • When Kayes sat back, he looked at the panel clock; it was almost seven—he was in good time.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • By leaving early, we arrived at the event in good time for the opening speech.

  • Make sure you send your application in good time to meet the deadline.

  • She completed her assignment in good time, allowing her to review it before submission.

Synonyms

in time
vsin good time
524 1.1

Before the last moment, early enough not to be late

also requires avoiding being too early not just being early enough
soon enough
vsin good time
171 1.7

Happens at a time that is early enough, not too late

calls for timing that is neither too early nor too late
when the time comes
vsin good time
83 2.9

At the right moment to do something

focuses on avoiding being too early or too late
in due time
vsin good time
  • Formal
13 3.4

Something happens at the right time

stresses timing that avoids being too early or too late
in due course
vsin good time
  • Formal
12 3.5

At the right time after some waiting

means arriving at a specific correct moment not just sometime later
in due season
vsin good time
  • Literature
1 4.4

It happens at the right time

emphasizes balanced timing not being too early or too late

Antonyms

241 1.0

Before the right time to do something

34 5.3

Happening at a bad time, often earlier than expected

How Timely

in advance
278 1.8
in good time
16 3.2
early
1.0
too early
241 1.0
late
1.0

Surface Forms

in good time positive

Morphology

in + good + time

The meaning 'at the appropriate or proper time' is directly derivable from the constituents: 'in' (position/within), 'good' (suitable), and 'time' (moment/occasion). This is a straightforward compositional temporal prepositional phrase that follows common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the words will readily understand it.

Etymology

In good time may come from farming, where a good time meant the right season when crops were ready for harvest. So saying 'in good time' came to mean doing something at the right moment and not being late.