on time

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on time (comparative more on time, superlative most on time)

1. Punctual or according to schedule; at the planned time.

• on-time

on time (not comparable)

1. Punctually or according to the schedule.

   The train arrived on time for the first time this week.

   • 1993, Richard Barry, “Budgeting”, in The Management of International Oil Operations, Tulsa, Ok.: PennWell Books, →ISBN, page 331:

     A company that makes a fetish of never exceeding the budget invites game-playing and other malarky. It is easy to forget the obvious: that it involves no skill to come in on time and under budget if the schedule and budget are generous enough.

   • 2025 October 15, 'Mystery Shopper', “About Anglia... and high scores”, in RAIL, number 1046, page 53:

     My train arrives on time - an eight-car Class 387. A handful of passengers alight, but not too many board - certainly not enough to warrant eight cars.

2. By installments, payments over a period of time.

   They bought their dining-room furniture on time.

3. (chess) By a player's running out of time.

   Smith beat Jones on time.

• in time

• time on