Meaning
Used to indicate that it is the moment to depart or leave a place.
Cultural Background
Americans often use 'It's time to go' as a literal signal. Once said, the process of leaving usually takes less than 5 minutes. The 'Irish Goodbye' is the opposite of this phrase—it's when someone leaves a party without saying 'It's time to go' to anyone, to avoid long goodbyes. Saying 'It's time to go' often triggers a 'porch talk' where the conversation continues for another 20 minutes outside the house. British people might say 'I'd better be off' or 'I should probably make a move' as a more indirect and 'polite' version of 'It's time to go.'
The 'Soft' Start
Add 'Well...' or 'Anyway...' before the phrase to make it sound more natural and less abrupt.
Watch Your Tone
If you say it too loudly or quickly, it can sound like you are angry or bored. Keep it gentle.
Meaning
Used to indicate that it is the moment to depart or leave a place.
The 'Soft' Start
Add 'Well...' or 'Anyway...' before the phrase to make it sound more natural and less abrupt.
Watch Your Tone
If you say it too loudly or quickly, it can sound like you are angry or bored. Keep it gentle.
The Subjunctive Trick
Use 'It's time we went' if you are already 15 minutes late. It sounds very native!
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct words.
It's 11:00 PM. It's ______ ______ go.
The standard phrase is 'It's time to go'.
Which sentence is the most natural for leaving a party?
You want to leave your friend's house. What do you say?
'I think' makes the phrase softer and more polite in social situations.
Fill in the missing line.
A: The movie starts in 5 minutes! B: Oh no! ________________.
Since the movie is starting soon, they need to leave immediately.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
Match: 1. 'It's high time we left.' 2. 'Gotta jet!' 3. 'It is time for our departure.'
'High time' implies lateness, 'Gotta jet' is slang, and 'It is time' is formal.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIt's 11:00 PM. It's ______ ______ go.
The standard phrase is 'It's time to go'.
You want to leave your friend's house. What do you say?
'I think' makes the phrase softer and more polite in social situations.
A: The movie starts in 5 minutes! B: Oh no! ________________.
Since the movie is starting soon, they need to leave immediately.
Match: 1. 'It's high time we left.' 2. 'Gotta jet!' 3. 'It is time for our departure.'
'High time' implies lateness, 'Gotta jet' is slang, and 'It is time' is formal.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is generally neutral. However, adding 'I think' or 'I'm afraid' makes it more polite.
Yes, in casual speech, people often drop the 'It's'.
'It's time to go' is the standard form. 'It's time for going' is grammatically possible but very rare and sounds unnatural.
Use a more formal version: 'I should probably head out now, if that's alright.'
Usually, but it can also mean it's time to die (in movies) or time to change a life situation.
Yes! 'It's time to eat,' 'It's time to start,' etc.
They are interchangeable. 'Leave' is slightly more formal than 'go'.
It means you will leave very soon, but not this exact second.
'Time to go!' or 'Ready to go?' are common.
Yes, 'Let's bounce' or 'I'm gonna jet' are popular slang alternatives.
Related Phrases
Time to head out
similarInformal way to say it's time to leave.
Time's up
contrastThe allowed time for an activity has finished.
Get a move on
builds onHurry up.
Take one's leave
specialized formTo formally say goodbye and depart.
