The idiomatic expression "it is high time" doesn't refer to a specific hour or altitude. Instead, it means that something should have been done a long time ago and that there is no good reason to delay it further. It conveys a sense of urgency and often implies mild disapproval or frustration that action hasn't been taken sooner.
While the exact origin is unclear, the phrase likely evolved from the literal meaning of "high" referring to a peak or advanced point in time. Over time, "high time" became associated with a point where action is critically overdue.
The register of "it is high time" is generally neutral to formal. While not overly stilted, it's more common in written communication and formal speech than in very casual conversation.
The primary grammatical structure is "it is high time + past subjunctive/past simple clause". The verb in the clause following "it is high time" should be in the past simple form, even though the meaning refers to the present or future. The past subjunctive is also acceptable, especially in more formal contexts. For example: "It is high time we left" or "It is high time we were leaving".
While "it is high time" is a strong idiom, it isn't typically modified extensively. Negating the entire expression is possible (e.g., "It isn't high time yet"), but negating the clause that follows sounds unnatural (e.g., "It is high time we didn't leave"). Similarly, using it in direct questions is rare and usually rephrased for clarity. An over-literal interpretation would miss the idiomatic meaning altogether.
These examples are sourced from it is high time on Ludwig.guru.
"It is high time death had its own moment of truth"." — The Guardian - Lifestyle
"It is high time to change course." — The Economist
"It is high time they developed them." — The Economist
"It is high time we embraced it." — The Guardian - Opinion
"It is high time this reactor be shut down." — The New York Times
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/it+is+high+time
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| it's about time | More informal; expresses impatience or annoyance. |
| it's time | Similar meaning, but less emphatic and urgent. |
| it is overdue | Emphasizes that something should have happened earlier. |
| the time is ripe | Suggests that conditions are now ideal for action. |
| it's imperative | Highlights the critical necessity of immediate action. |
| it's crucial | Stresses the importance and urgency of doing something. |
| it's essential | Indicates that something is absolutely necessary. |
| Expression | Idiomatic Meaning | Register | Avoid In |
|---|---|---|---|
| it is high time | Something should have been done a long time ago | Neutral to formal | Very informal conversations |
"It is high time" is almost always used figuratively, meaning that something is overdue. While the individual words have literal meanings, the combination functions as an idiom. You're unlikely to hear it used in a literal sense referring to a specific time of day.
Both phrases express that something should have happened earlier, but "it is high time" is more formal and carries a stronger sense of urgency. "It's about time" is more casual and often expresses annoyance or impatience that something has finally occurred.
The correct verb tense is the past simple or past subjunctive, even though the meaning refers to the present or future. For example, "It is high time we left" (past simple) or "It is high time she were told the truth" (past subjunctive). Using the present or future tense is a common mistake and should be avoided.
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