arrive on time
/əˈraɪv ɑːn taɪm/
Meaning
To reach a destination at the planned, scheduled, or expected hour, without being late. This is a crucial concept in both business etiquette and social settings.
Examples
-
It is very important to arrive on time for a job interview.
It is very important to arrive on time for a job interview.
-
The train usually manages to arrive on time despite the bad weather.
The train usually manages to arrive on time despite the bad weather.
-
Please make sure you arrive on time for the presentation tomorrow.
Please make sure you arrive on time for the presentation tomorrow.
-
If you do not arrive on time, we might have to start without you.
If you do not arrive on time, we might have to start without you.
-
He always struggles to arrive on time because of the morning traffic.
He always struggles to arrive on time because of the morning traffic.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ I promised to arrive in time for the meeting.
✓ I promised to arrive on time for the meeting.
'On time' means punctual (exactly at the scheduled hour). 'In time' means early enough to do something else before the event starts.
-
✗ She arrived at time yesterday.
✓ She arrived on time yesterday.
The correct preposition is 'on' for punctuality ('on time'), not 'at'.
Related Expressions
Practice
-
To make a good impression, you must ___________.
💡 Be punctual / do not be late.
Show answer
arrive on time
-
I need to leave early to ensure I ___________ for the flight.
💡 Reach the airport when scheduled.
Show answer
arrive on time