time flies when you're having fun
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Time seems to pass more quickly when one is enjoying oneself.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
"Time flies when you're having fun!" said one of the skiers in our party. "Yeah, but time's more fun when you're flying," Jay one-upped.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “time flies when you're having fun” mean?
Time seems to pass more quickly when one is enjoying oneself.
Is “time flies when you're having fun” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.