Time
make up for lost time
- Meaning
- To do a lot of something because you missed the chance earlier.
- Example
- After months apart, the cousins talked all night to make up for lost time.
Random Phrase Generator
This random phrase generator shows you a common English idiom or saying, what it means and how to use it. Press Next for another one, or switch to a list and browse.
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42 phrases match your filters · Press Space for the next one
Phrases and idioms 42
- Time
in the heat of the moment
- Meaning
- While feeling strong emotions, without thinking carefully.
- Example
- In the heat of the moment, I said something I didn't mean.
- Time
at a snail's pace
- Meaning
- Very slowly.
- Example
- The traffic moved at a snail's pace all the way home.
- Time
a matter of time
- Meaning
- Certain to happen sooner or later.
- Example
- With all that practice, it's only a matter of time before she wins.
- Time
at the crack of dawn
- Meaning
- Very early in the morning.
- Example
- We left at the crack of dawn to avoid the traffic.
- Time
until the cows come home
- Meaning
- For a very long time, maybe forever.
- Example
- You can wait until the cows come home, but he won't change his mind.
- Time
a month of Sundays
- Meaning
- A very long time.
- Example
- I haven't seen him in a month of Sundays.
- Time
it's high time
- Meaning
- It is past the right time, and something should happen now.
- Example
- It's high time we cleaned out the garage.
- Time
time on your hands
- Meaning
- Free time with nothing in particular to do.
- Example
- Now that school is out, I have a lot of time on my hands.
- Time
take your time
- Meaning
- Don't hurry.
- Example
- Take your time and check your answers.
- Time
now or never
- Meaning
- If you don't act now, you'll lose the chance.
- Example
- The bus is about to leave, so it's now or never.
- Time
sooner or later
- Meaning
- At some time in the future, for certain.
- Example
- Sooner or later, you'll need to tell her the truth.
- Time
better late than never
- Meaning
- It is better to do something late than not at all.
- Example
- He sent the birthday card a week late, but better late than never.
What the random phrase generator does
English is full of phrases that don't mean what their words say. Spill the beans has nothing to do with cooking, and nobody actually breaks the ice at a party. Each card shows a phrase from our own bank, a plain explanation of what it means, and an example sentence that shows it in use.
We wrote every meaning and example ourselves, in simple words, so the explanation is easier to follow than the phrase.
How to use it
- Pick a category with the chips if you want to narrow the bank down.
- Choose how many to show. One phrase at a time, or several together.
- Press Next (or the Space bar) for a new phrase.
- Read the meaning and the example under each phrase.
- Copy it with the copy button, or switch to list view to browse lots of phrases at once.
Ways to use random phrases
Learning English idioms
Idioms are one of the hardest parts of English, because you can't work them out from the words. Learn one a day: read the meaning, say the example out loud, then make up your own sentence.
Writing natural dialogue
Real people talk in idioms. Dropping the right saying into a character's speech makes dialogue sound natural – just don't let every line lean on one.
Classroom idiom lessons
Ask students to draw the literal meaning of a phrase – an actual cat being let out of an actual bag – and then explain what it really means. The drawings are always a hit.
Guess-the-meaning game
Read a phrase aloud and let everyone guess what it means before you read the answer. It works for family game night, a language class or a long car ride.
Act it out
Common phrases make great charades: act out the literal meaning and let the others guess the saying. Our charades generator has plenty more to act.
Story titles and prompts
Many sayings make perfect story titles. Pick one and write a short story that ends with the phrase as the last line.
Tips for better results
- Learn the example, not just the meaning. Seeing a phrase in a sentence shows you when and how people really use it.
- Use it within a day. Try a new idiom in conversation or in a message soon after you learn it.
- Draw it. Sketching the literal meaning of an idiom is a memorable way to learn the real one.
- Keep it casual. Most idioms are informal, so save them for stories, chats and speeches rather than formal essays.
- Pair with sentences. The random sentence generator gives you whole sentences to practice with, from simple to silly.
Questions
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the meaning of its words. Break the ice means to help people relax and start talking, not to smash anything.
What is the difference between a phrase, an idiom and a saying?
A phrase is any small group of words. An idiom is a phrase with a figurative meaning, and a saying is a short, well-known piece of advice or wisdom, like better late than never.
Are these common phrases people really use?
Yes. The bank focuses on common phrases and idioms you are likely to hear in everyday English, each explained in plain words.
Why are idioms hard to learn?
Because their meaning is not the sum of their words. You have to learn each one as a whole, which is why seeing the meaning and an example together helps.
Can I use this to learn English idioms?
Yes. Every phrase comes with its meaning and an example sentence, which makes it a handy daily study tool for English learners.
Who wrote the meanings and examples?
We did. All meanings and example sentences are original and written for this site.
Can I see a list of idioms?
Yes. Switch to list view to browse many phrases at once, or choose how many to show on the page.
Is the random phrase generator free?
Yes, free with no sign-up. The site sets no cookies and doesn't track you.
Last updated October 2, 2026