When we say, “only time will tell,” we mean that the outcome or result of a situation is uncertain and we will have to wait to see what happens. It’s like saying, “we’ll see,” or “let’s wait and find out.”
Here are two examples in sentences:
Example 1:
Whether the new law will have a positive impact or not, only time will tell.
Example 2:
Julia planted some seeds in her garden, and whether they grow into beautiful flowers, well, only time will tell.
Now, let’s see two examples in a conversation:
Example 3:
Ben: Hey, Lucy! Do you think our team will win the championship this year?
Lucy: I don’t know, Ben. Only time will tell. We’ve trained hard, but so have the other teams.
Example 4:
Mike: Hi, Emma! I heard you’re starting a new business. Will it be successful?
Emma: I hope so, Mike, but only time will tell. I’ve done my research and planning, and now it’s about execution.
So, in short, the phrase “only time will tell” is a way to express that we cannot predict the future and we will have to wait and see how things unfold. It’s a humble acknowledgment of the uncertainty of life and the limits of our ability to control or predict outcomes.
