borrowed time
The idiom "borrowed time" is often used to describe situations where someone or something continues to exist longer than expected, with the implication that this extension is temporary and uncertain.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)An uncertain and limited period during which someone or something continues beyond the expected time.
Example
- After the accident, doctors said he was living on borrowed time.
- The company is on borrowed time after narrowly avoiding bankruptcy.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "borrowed time":
against timeout of timebefore someone's timefalse borrowinghave time on one's sidelive timekilling timegain time