| 释义 |
tempus fugit, phr.
Brit. |ˌtempəs ˈfjuːdʒɪt|, |ˌtempəs ˈfuːgɪt|, U.S. |ˌtɛmpəs ˈf(j)udʒɪt|
[‹ classical Latin tempus time (see tempo n.1) + fugit, 3rd person present indicative of fugere to flee (see fuge v.), after sed fugit interea, fugit inreparabile tempus, ‘But meanwhile it is flying, irretrievable time is flying’ (Virgil Georgics 3. 284).]
‘Time flies’; time is pressing, circumstances change quickly. Used esp. to draw attention to a pressing need for action.
1792Trials at Large King's Comm. of Peace VII. iii. 389/1 Mr. Garrow looks at the watch.—My lord, the truth is, what he calls the maker's name, Foodge, is the motto tempus fugit. 1842‘J. Cypress’ Sporting Scenes & Sundry Sketches II. 141 Come, my friends to business. ‘Tempus fugit,’ is my motto you know. 1871H. B. Stowe My Wife & I xxiii. 244 As he and I both have got to make our living by scratching, and tempus fugit, and we've got articles to write.., may I humbly request that you will withdraw the confusing light of your bright eyes from us for the present. 1924Amer. Jrnl. Sociol. 30 281 With others the tempus fugit means what it always meant: the approach of death. 1980Times 16 June 23/3 (advt.) Tempus fugit so get your skates on. 2001Time 17 Dec. 73/3 Can't they hear that sound of clocks ticking? Tempus fugit, assholes. |