used to convey that something now happening or about to happen should have happened earlier
早该
it's about time I came clean and admitted it.
我早该招供承认这件事。
earlier than expected or required
提前，提早
having ideas too enlightened or advanced to be accepted by one's contemporaries
想法太超前的，思想前卫的
at all times
一直，始终
separately in the specified groups or numbers
每次，一次
he took the stairs two at a time.
他两步一跨冲上楼梯。
before the due or expected time
提前，在原定时间以前
late
迟，晚
[usu. with negative]be pleasantly polite or friendly to someone
对…礼貌（或友好）
I wouldn't give him the time of day if I could help it.
要是我有办法就不会让他好过。
as often as not
一半时间；常常
be unable or unwilling to spend time on
没时间（或不愿意）做
he had no time for anything except essays and projects.
除了文章和课题外，他没时间做别的事。
be able to spend the time needed to do something
能有时间
she didn't have the time to look very closely.
她没时间仔细看。
know from having a watch what time it is
因为有表而知道时间
very quickly or very soon
立即，马上
the video has sold 30,000 copies in no time.
这部录像很快销了三万套。
(亦作 in one's own good time)at a time and a rate decided by oneself
在自己做好准备时（或认为方便时）；不着急地
(美 on one's own time)outside working hours; without being paid
在非工作时间，在业余时间；无偿地
(of a clock or watch) record time accurately (or inaccurately)
（钟，表）走得准（或不准）
(of a person) be habitually punctual (or not punctual)
（人）守时（或不守时）