(only) time will tell
idiom
—used to say that the results of a situation will be known only after a certain amount of time has passed
"Will he be OK?" "I don't know. Only time will tell."
Examples of (only) time will tell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gibson and several of his colleagues including Carroll County State’s Attorney Haven Shoemaker and Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger agree only time will tell.
—
Maxine Streicher, Baltimore Sun, 13 Nov. 2024
Only time will tell how the masion—and the rest of the luxury industry—will fair in Q4.
—Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
Whether the two are keeping things under wraps or have called it quits all together, only time will tell.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Only time will tell if this is a genuine strategic alliance or another double-cross in the making.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for (only) time will tell 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Maxine Streicher, Baltimore Sun, 13 Nov. 2024
Only time will tell how the masion—and the rest of the luxury industry—will fair in Q4.
—Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024
Whether the two are keeping things under wraps or have called it quits all together, only time will tell.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Only time will tell if this is a genuine strategic alliance or another double-cross in the making.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for (only) time will tell
Dictionary Entries Near (only) time will tell
Cite this Entry
“(only) time will tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28only%29%20time%20will%20tell. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share