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idiom
Business

time is money

TYM iz MUN-ee

taɪm ɪz ˈmʌniː

Listen

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Syllable breakdown

timeismoney

Dictionary meaning

the principle that time has economic value, and wasting it is equivalent to wasting money; foundational to lean manufacturing, time-based competition, and productivity management; widely attributed to Benjamin Franklin ('Advice to a Young Tradesman', 1748)

History and origin

Popularized by Benjamin Franklin in 1748; the sentiment appears in ancient Greek and Latin writings as well

Examples

  • In last-mile delivery, time is money — idle drivers and missed time windows cost millions.
  • The consultant reminded the team: time is money, so let's cut the unnecessary reporting.

People also look up

The ball is in your court

The bawl is in yor cort

Call it a day

Cawl it a day

Cut to the chase

Cut to the chayss

On the same page

On the saym payj

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