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have until — to be given a period of time to complete something before a deadline

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to be given a period of time to complete something before a deadline

Pronunciation (IPA): /hæv ənˈtɪl/

Example Sentences

  • Students have until midnight to submit their love letters to the teacher.
  • You have until next Monday to decide whether to accept the job offer.
  • The zombie apocalypse survivors have until dawn to find a safe shelter.

have until

VERB

[/hæv ənˈtɪl/]

to be given a period of time to complete something before a deadline

a college student frantically writes in a notebook while glancing nervously at a large wall clock showing 11:45. Papers and textbooks are scattered across the desk as she works intensively on her assignment. The clock's hands move closer to midnight, creating visible pressure as the deadline approaches. Her roommate points at the clock while mouthing encouragement from nearby. Other students pack up their materials and leave, showing that time is running out. The librarian begins turning off lights in distant sections of the library. being given a limited period of time to complete something before a deadline
💡 Concept

a college student frantically writes in a notebook while glancing nervously at a large wall clock showing 11:45. Papers and textbooks are scattered across the desk as she works intensively on her assignment. The clock's hands move closer to midnight, creating visible pressure as the deadline approaches. Her roommate points at the clock while mouthing encouragement from nearby. Other students pack up their materials and leave, showing that time is running out. The librarian begins turning off lights in distant sections of the library. being given a limited period of time to complete something before a deadline

You have until midnight still, so never bend your will!
🎵 Rhyme

You have until midnight still, so never bend your will!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/hæv ənˈtɪl/
🇬🇧 UK/hæv ənˈtɪl/

🌳Etymology

Origin

Have derives from Old English habban, meaning 'to possess or own'. Until combines Old Norse und ('up to') and till ('to'), forming a temporal boundary marker. Together, the phrase evolved to express possession or obligation extending to a specific point in time.

Breakdown

have (Old English habban, 'to possess') + until (Old Norse und- 'up to' + till 'to', literally 'up till'). The construction conveys the concept of maintaining a state or obligation through a defined temporal limit.

🎵Rhyme

stillwillfillskill
still
will
fill
skill

🔗Collocations

have until tomorrow
have until midnight
have until the end
have until next week
have until 5 PM
have until further notice

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“Students have until midnight to submit their love letters to the teacher.”

“You have until next Monday to decide whether to accept the job offer.”

😄 Fun example

“The zombie apocalypse survivors have until dawn to find a safe shelter.”

“Employees have until the end of this month to complete the training program.”

📚Related Words

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