English

Alternative forms

• time and tide
• time and tide stay for no man
• time and tide tarry for no man

Proverb

time and tide wait for no man

1. Action should be undertaken without delay.
   • 1857, Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit, ch. 22:

     "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

• time is of the essence
• procrastination is the thief of time
• there's no time like the present

Translations

See also

• he who hesitates is lost
• look before you leap