time money: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal/Business/Proverbial
Quick answer
What does “time money” mean?
A concept treating time as a finite, valuable commodity that can be saved, spent, or wasted like currency.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A concept treating time as a finite, valuable commodity that can be saved, spent, or wasted like currency.
Refers to the economic principle that time is a limited resource with tangible opportunity cost; often used to justify efficient work practices or to argue against procrastination.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. The phrase is equally common in both varieties. The underlying concept is deeply ingrained in Anglo-American business culture.
Connotations
In both cultures, it carries connotations of efficiency, pragmatism, and a Protestant work ethic. It can have negative connotations of an overly transactional view of life.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American business and self-help contexts. The phrase 'time is money' is a fixed proverb.
Grammar
How to Use “time money” in a Sentence
[Subject] treats/views/considers time as money.The [principle/concept] of time money.A [trade-off/balance] between time and money.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “time money” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to properly account for the time-money cost of this manual process.
- He constantly time-moneys every household chore.
American English
- The consultant advised us to time-money our weekly team meetings.
- You can't effectively time-money creative brainstorming sessions.
adverb
British English
- The decision was made very time-money-ly, focusing only on short-term savings.
- (Rarely used)
American English
- He manages his schedule time-money-ly, delegating anything below his hourly rate.
- (Rarely used)
adjective
British English
- The time-money trade-off favours automation.
- She has a very time-money approach to freelancing.
American English
- We conducted a time-money analysis of the workflow.
- His time-money mindset sometimes overlooks quality.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to justify investments in time-saving technology or to critique inefficient meetings.
Academic
Found in economics, management, and sociology papers discussing labour, productivity, and resource allocation.
Everyday
Used to encourage promptness or to express frustration with delays (e.g., 'Hurry up, time is money!').
Technical
Refers to calculations of labour cost per hour or the monetised value of saved time in project management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “time money”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “time money”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “time money”
- Using it as an adjective without a hyphen (e.g., 'time money concept' should be 'time-money concept').
- Treating it as a plural noun (*'times moneys').
- Confusing it with 'money's worth' which relates to value received for money spent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The phrase is most famously attributed to Benjamin Franklin in his 1748 essay 'Advice to a Young Tradesman', though the concept is older.
Not as a single fixed term. Economists refer to 'value of time', 'time allocation', or 'opportunity cost of time'. 'Time money' is a popularised, proverbial encapsulation of these ideas.
Yes, critics use it to describe a hyper-capitalist mindset that monetises all human activity, potentially devaluing leisure, relationships, and unpaid care work.
It underpins the gig economy (pay per task/time), productivity software, and debates about work-life balance. The rise of automation is often justified through time-money calculations.
A concept treating time as a finite, valuable commodity that can be saved, spent, or wasted like currency.
Time money: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪm ˈmʌni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪm ˈmʌni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Time is money.”
- “To buy time.”
- “To spend time wisely.”
- “A waste of time.”
- “On borrowed time.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock with pound/dollar signs instead of numbers.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A VALUABLE COMMODITY / TIME IS CURRENCY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best reflects the 'time money' concept in action?