time and tide wait for no man

English

Etymology

A figura etymologica – time and tide respectively derive from Proto-Germanic *tīmô and *tīdiz, which are ultimately related.

Proverb

time and tide wait for no man

  1. 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

Translations

See also
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