time and tide wait for no man
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]A figura etymologica – time and tide respectively derive from Proto-Germanic *tīmô and *tīdiz, which are ultimately related.
Proverb
[edit]- Opportunities will not wait; action should be undertaken without delay.
- 1857, Charles Dickens, chapter 22, in Little Dorrit:
- "And now", said Daniel, looking at his watch, "as time and tide wait for no man, my trusty partner, and as I am ready for starting, bag and baggage, at the gate below, let me say a last word".
- 1903, P. G. Wodehouse, “Work”, in Tales of St. Austin's:
- "Do you not think, my dear lad, that you had better begin? Time and tide, as you are aware, wait for no man".
Synonyms
[edit]- time is of the essence
- procrastination is the thief of time
- there's no time like the present
- time and tide
- time and tide stay for no man
- time and tide tarry for no man
- tide nor time tarrieth no man
Translations
[edit]proverb
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