(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
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.
Only time will tell where Soto is going to spend the next decade of his career. Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 Whether Mercedes' in-drive brakes become a new standard or ends up as a premium upgrade for affluent EV buyers, only time will tell. New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2024 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 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 24 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!