in (one's) own good time
1
6.8
- idiom
- Informal
:
a su propio ritmo
- You can leave the meeting in your own good time; there's no need to hurry.
Examples
-
I acquired the knack, so necessary to reading Faulkner, of letting go, of following him with the fierce tenacity of a faithful dog, just blindly reading on till he reveals the sense of what you're reading, in his own good time.
Academic text (1999) -
I'll tell you in my own good time.
-
And one day in his own good time, he will speak out.
-
I expect you'll tell me in your own good time what you want me to know.
-
In her own good time, she will tell us where to find Mulhooley.
Fiction book (2000) -
Eventually it comes time for everybody to move on, and so in this particular instance, I'll blaze the trail and leave you and the boys to pack things up in your own good time.
Fiction book (2000) -
"Now, in your own good time, awaken feeling refreshed and relaxed and remembering my instructions."
Fiction book (1991) -
Mandela, though, is an abstract impressionist in a Norman Rockwell world, probing at the roses in his own way in his own good time.
Blog text (18) -
She decided to finish her project in her own good time, without rushing.
-
He prefers to make decisions in his own good time, ensuring he's thought things through.
Synonyms
1
3.4
When you have time and are not in a hurry
Antonyms
How Quickly
∞
1.0
∞
1.0
- Informal
1
6.8
- Formal
12
3.5
∞
3.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
in + (one's) + own + good + time
The meaning 'at a time and pace chosen by oneself' is directly derivable from the constituents: 'in' (at), 'one's own' (belonging to the person), 'good' (suitable), and 'time' (moment/period). This is a regular compositional pattern with clear cross-linguistic parallels, so a B1 learner who knows the individual words would readily infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
In (one's) own good time shows someone waiting until it is a good time for them and doing things on their own time, not because others push them. So, it means 'at a time you choose' and 'without being hurried'.