idiom
Business
time is money
TYM iz MUN-ee
taɪm ɪz ˈmʌniːListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
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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