(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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Only time will tell if GLP-1 drugs are headed for those fates, Palakodeti says. —

Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024 Only time will tell if their talks evolve into a legitimate offer. —

Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Somewhere in the recent past, but much closer to Catherine’s present day than Jonathan’s historical past, Stephen (a possibly woefully miscast Kevin Kline; time will tell) loses his job. —

Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024 Now that the collaboration between Riot and Linkin Park has been made official, League fans’ expectations will be high for the 2024 Worlds anthem, but only time will tell if they’ll be met or exceeded. —

Cecilia Ciocchetti, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for (only) time will tell

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“(only) time will tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28only%29%20time%20will%20tell. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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