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outta time

outta time

1 9.1
Having no time left to finish what you need
  • idiom
  • /ˈaʊtə taɪm/
  • Informal
translation icon : sin tiempo
  • Well, I'm sorry, Janie, but, uh... I'm fresh outta time.

Examples

Synonyms

to run out of time
vsoutta time
136 2.9

Not enough time left to finish something

means the same but uses informal words and stresses all time is used
short on time
vsoutta time
11 3.3

Not having enough time to do what you need

implies complete lack of time rather than just limited time
pressed for time
vsoutta time
  • Informal
10 4.2

When you have very little time you need to hurry

indicates no time remains rather than still having little time
the clock is ticking
vsoutta time
  • Informal
1 4.4

There is only a short time left to do something

expresses the actual state of having no time left rather than being a warning

How Urgent

outta time
  • Informal
1 9.1
time is ticking
  • Informal
1 5.4

Surface Forms

outta time positive

Morphology

outta + time

The phrase 'outta time' is an informal spelling of 'out of time' meaning 'having no time left', and this meaning is directly derivable from combining 'out (of)' with 'time'. Despite its colloquial pronunciation, the compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically recognizable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will understand it.

Etymology

Outta time comes from the simple image of a clock or hourglass that has run out, where outta means 'out of' and time is finished. So, if you are outta time, you are 'having no time left'.