It's high time Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈɪts/, /ɪts/ /ˈhaɪ/ /ˈtaɪm

ITS HAI TAIM

UK

ɪts/ /hˈaɪ/ /tˈaɪm

ITS HAI TAIM

Definition

This expression means that something should have been done already and needs to be done right now; it's used to show strong urgency or that a task is overdue.

Usage & Nuances

Usually used in spoken or informal writing to emphasize impatience or urgency. Commonly followed by a past verb form ('it's high time you cleaned your room'). Often expresses the speaker's frustration or annoyance.

• Spanish: ya es hora - ya va siendo hora
• Portuguese (BR): já está na hora - já passou da hora
• Portuguese (PT): já está na hora - já chegou a hora
• Chinese (Simplified): 早该 (zǎo gāi) - 是时候了
• Chinese (Traditional): 早該 (zǎo gāi) - 是時候了
• Hindi: अब समय आ गया है
• Arabic: حان الوقت
• Bengali: এখনই সময় - অনেক দেরি হয়ে গেছে (কিছু করা উচিত ছিল অনেক আগেই)
• Russian: давно пора
• Japanese: もうとっくに～するべき時だ - いい加減～する時だ
• Vietnamese: đã đến lúc - đến lúc cần (làm gì đó)
• Korean: 이제 정말 ~할 때다 - 진작 ~했어야 했다
• Turkish: artık zamanı geldi - çoktan yapılmalıydı
• Urdu: اب وقت ہے - بہت دیر ہو گئی (کچھ کرنے کا)
• Indonesian: sudah saatnya - sudah waktunya

Example Sentences

It's high time we left for the airport.

basic

It's high time you cleaned your room.

basic

It's high time for lunch.

basic

It's high time we started taking climate change seriously.

natural

Honestly, it's high time you apologized to her.

natural

Don't you think it's high time we fixed that broken window?

natural