PhrasesHub

In the nick of time

    Definitions

      • at the last possible moment
        To describe an action or event that happens just before it is too late, often with a sense of relief or urgency

      • precisely on time
        To indicate that something happened at the exact moment it was needed, typically saving a situation from disaster or failure

      • barely making it
        To convey that something was accomplished or achieved with only a small amount of time remaining, often highlighting the difficulty or close call of the situation

    Examples of In the nick of time

    • The train was about to depart when John suddenly remembered his wallet on the seat. He ran back to the train and found it in the nick of time.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where something happens just in the right moment or at the last possible second. In this example, John found his wallet just before the train departed, which was the right moment as he could have missed the train otherwise.

    • The firefighters arrived at the burning building and managed to put out the flames in the nick of time.

      This example shows that the firefighters arrived just in time to prevent the building from getting completely destroyed by the fire.

    • The student submitted his assignment just in the nick of time before the deadline.

      This example describes a situation where the student submitted his assignment just before the deadline, which was the right moment as he could have been penalized for submitting it late.

    • The doctor diagnosed the patient's condition in the nick of time, which saved his life.

      This example shows that the doctor diagnosed the patient's condition just in time to provide the necessary treatment, which saved the patient's life.

    • The traffic light turned green in the nick of time as the pedestrian was about to cross the road.

      This example describes a situation where the traffic light turned green just as the pedestrian was about to cross the road, which was the right moment as he could have been hit by a car otherwise.


    Conclusion

    Overall, the idiom "in the nick of time" is used to describe a situation where an action or event happens at the last possible moment, often with a sense of urgency or relief. It can also convey the idea of something happening precisely on time or barely making it, emphasizing the difficulty or close call of the situation.

    Origin of "In the nick of time"

    The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in England in the 17th century. One theory suggests that the word "nick" in this context comes from the Old English word "hnícan," which means to cut or notch. This could refer to the idea of cutting time very close or making a precise mark on a clock to indicate the exact moment.

    Another theory suggests that the word "nick" may come from the practice of marking the time on a tally stick, which was used to keep track of debts or payments. A notch would be made on the stick to indicate when a payment was made, and if it was done "in the nick of time," it would be just before the due date.

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has been in use for centuries and has become a common phrase in the English language. It is often used in everyday conversation and is also frequently found in literature and films. Its popularity may be due to its versatility in conveying the idea of something happening at the last possible moment or being exactly on time.