TIME IS OVER/UP?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

What is the difference in meaning between ‘TIME IS OVER’ and ‘TIME IS UP’?

2

Both mean the same to me.

3

“time is up” (often “time’s up”) is more of a recognised self-contained expression.

“time is over” needs a context.

4

[color=blue]Sometimes there may not be much difference between the two sentences, but sometimes there will be.

‘Time is up.’ means that the allotted or designated time ends now. For example, when the allotted time for writing an exam ends the teacher will say ‘Time is up; put your pen down now!’ (S)he won’t say ‘Time is over…’.

‘Time is over.’ means that the time for doing something has passed. For example, in Canada you cannot plant wheat in June and still have time for it to grow and ripen before the cold weather arrives. In June, the time for planting corn is over. (not ‘up’)

5

delete

6

Dozy,

  1. When time’s up, the motor gets disconnects automatically, after sounding a warning bleep.
  2. When time is over, how can you plant rice in the field?
    Are these sentences OK?
7

Fathima, it should be ‘gets disconnected’ and ‘bleep’ may be replaced by ‘beep’.
Though you have addressed your question to Dozy, I would say ‘Yes’ to it.

8
  1. “When the time’s up…” seems more natural to me. Also, as Anglophile says, it should be “gets disconnected” not “gets disconnects”.
  2. This is not very natural.
9

Dozy,
Please make #2 natural.
Thanks.

10

I don’t understand well enough what #2 is supposed to mean. Could you explain the circumstance in which you envisage asking this question?

11

Dozy,
The season of planting rice is already over. So it is not proper time to plant rice.
So I am asking this matter in the form of question as:
“When the time is over, how can you plant rice in the field?”
So you know the subject matter. Please make #2 question more natural.
Thanks.

12

How can you plant rice out of season?

13

Beeesneees,
I appreciate your brief answer.
But I want to use the phrase - “When (the) time is over”.
Could you please help me with a sentence using this phrase.
Thanks.

14

Not id you want to use it naturally in the context you indicate, no, sorry.

15

Beeesneees,
Please use the phrase - “When (the) time is over” in any context which is more suitable.
Thanks.

16

None spring immediately to mind.