Do you need some idioms to talk about the present moment in time?
Sandwiched between our articles about past idioms and future idioms we have this one about present idioms. Just to be clear, we’re not talking about gifts or attendance, but about the current time. Think of them as ‘now idioms’ or ‘today idioms’, if you like.
For each of these phrases and idioms about the present, we have included an example sentence so you can see how they are used. You’ll find that many are intended to encourage action and create a sense of motivation – time is limited, after all!
Present idioms to talk about ‘now’
High time
If it’s high time something happened, it’s the appropriate time for it to happen or it should have happened some time ago.
“It’s high time he settled down and started a family instead of travelling all over the world.”
In this day and age
The present idiom in this day and age means in modern times. It’s usually used to describe how things have changed (or should have changed) from some time in the past.
“In this day and age everyone should have access to clean drinking water.”
It’s now or never
It’s now or never is one of the more motivational present idioms. It means if you don’t do something now you’re unlikely to have the opportunity again.
“Are you going to do the bungee jump or not? It’s now or never!”
At present
At present is another way of saying currently or at this point in time.
“I’m afraid I’m not in a position to give you any more information at present.”
Other present idioms with the same meaning include:
- At the present time
- At the present moment
- For the time being
- For now
- For the present
- At the moment
- Presently
All of these suggest that the situation may change in the future, although there is no certainty of this.
“We have decided to stay living in this city for the time being.”
“I’m not searching for a new job at the moment.”
You can discover more phrases like this in our article about sequential transition words.
From here on in
From here on in simply means from now on or from this point forward.
“From here on in the company won’t tolerate lateness from employees.”
All present and correct
The idiom all present and correct means that everyone who should be at a certain place is currently there.
“All present and correct; we can continue to our next stop on the tour.”
In American English, the equivalent idiom all present and accounted for is more common.
On the spot
When something is done on the spot, it happens immediately and without delay. It may happen without any planning or warning.
“You’ll be fined on the spot if you are caught littering.”
Something done on the spot could instead be prefixed with spot as an adjective, as in spot fines or spot checks.
No time to lose
If you have no time to lose then you need to act immediately or quickly.
“Quick, call an ambulance! There’s no time to lose!”
Check out some more idioms about speed on a separate post.
The here and now
The here and now is just another way of saying the present.
“Stop worrying about tomorrow and try living in the here and now!”
Right away / Straight away
Right away and straight away are both ways of saying immediately and without delay.
“Tell Jones I want to see him in my office right away.”
Note that straight away is more often used in British than American English.
Other ways to say this include this minute and at once, but these may sound more stern when used for instructions.
“When you hear the alarm, you must leave the building at once.”
“Come here this minute and clean up the mess you have left in the kitchen!”
Moment of truth
The moment of truth comes when you discover the result of something or you have to make an important decision.
“Now for the moment of truth… Let’s see whether your baby is a girl or a boy.”
This is just one of many truth idioms we use in English.
There’s no time like the present
If you think that someone should do something now rather than leaving it until later you can encourage them by saying there’s no time like the present.
“I know you’re nervous about sending your application but there’s no time like the present.”
Live in the present
To live in the present is another good example of a ‘today idiom’ that encourages you to concentrate on the current moment rather than focusing on the past or the future.
“Sometimes I worry so much I forget to live in the present.”
A bonus quote about the present
This is not technically a present idiom, but it fits into this list so well, we couldn’t leave it out. This quote is attributed to Bil Keane:
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”
Not only is this a fun play on words with the different meanings of ‘present’, but it’s yet another good reminder to focus on today rather than worry about what will happen tomorrow.
If you found this list of present idioms useful, you may also enjoy discovering more idioms about time.
Can you think of any more phrases that should be in this list? Leave a comment to let us know!
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