Time flies means that time passes very quickly. People say it with surprise when they notice how much time has gone by: a child has started school, or a year has passed since a move. There is also a humorous longer version: time flies when you're having fun, meaning time passes quickly when you are enjoying yourself. The expression is conversational: it fits IELTS Speaking but not an essay.
When would you say time flies?
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Time flies! (short comment); How time flies!; time flies when you're having fun
- It feels like this course started yesterday, and now it's already the final week. Time flies!
- We've been living in Manchester for five years now. How time flies!
- We didn't notice it was already two in the morning; time flies when you're having fun.
What changed
First versionMy daughter starts school next week. How fast time runs!
RevisionMy daughter starts school next week. How fast time flies!
Run seems a natural verb for fast movement, so time runs may sound logical. But in English, time in this sense flies rather than runs: time flies. The phrase time is running out means something else: there is very little time left. Runs was replaced with flies.
The opposite situation is described with the verb drag: time drags when you are bored or have to wait a long time. The last hour of the flight really dragged. If time passed without you noticing, it flies; if it seemed to go on forever, it drags.
Your turn
I can't believe it's already been a year since we moved to this city. ___!
Show the answer
Time flies — I can't believe expresses surprise: the year went so quickly that it is hard to believe. So time flew: Time flies. Time drags would describe time that passes slowly, which is the opposite of what happened here.
Think of an event that feels very recent, although a lot of time has passed since then: a move, a graduation or starting a job. Say how much time has passed and add time flies.
I started working at this company exactly three years ago, but it feels like last month. Time flies!
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