every time: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘every time’ mean?

The idiom "every time" is used to indicate that something happens consistently or repeatedly. It can also imply that something always occurs in conjunction with a specific action or event.

Idiom Explorer

The Enigma within "Every Time"

Every time is an idiomatic expression that is used to indicate that something happens or occurs regularly or consistently. It is often used in situations where an event, action, or outcome is predictable and expected to happen repeatedly.

The phrase "every time" is derived from the combination of the words "every" and "time." "Every" is an adjective that means each and all in a series or sequence, while "time" refers to a particular instance or occurrence of an event.

The idiom "every time" is commonly used in everyday language and can be found in a wide range of contexts, including conversations, literature, and various media forms.

They always workout consistently without fail every day.

When used in a sentence, "every time" is typically followed by a clause or phrase that explains what happens regularly or consistently. For example, "as often as not, every time I go to the beach, I get sunburned" indicates that the speaker consistently gets sunburned whenever they visit the beach.

This idiom can also be used to express frustration or annoyance when something happens repeatedly in an unwanted or undesirable manner. For instance, someone might say, "all the while, every time I try to cook, I end up burning the food."

The phrase "every time" can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the specific situation. It is often used to convey a sense of certainty and predictability.

Additionally, the idiom "every time" can be modified by adverbial phrases or qualifiers to provide more specific information or emphasize certain aspects of the regularity or consistency. For example, "from time to time, every single time," "day after day, every time without fail," or "day in, day out, every time I turn around" are common variations of the idiom.

The idiom "every time" is used to convey the idea of regularity and consistency in various contexts. It indicates that something happens or occurs repeatedly and can be used to express both positive and negative situations. The phrase combines the words "every" and "time" to express a sense of predictability and certainty. Whether used to describe anticipated outcomes or frustrations, the idiom "every time" remains a widely recognized expression in everyday language.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom "every time" can be used in a sentence:

  • He gets nervous every time he has to speak in public.
  • Every time it rains, I forget to bring an umbrella.
  • She smiles at me every time we pass each other in the hallway.

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