all the time

all the time

1. Lit. throughout a specific period of time. •

Bill was stealing money for the last two years, and Tom knew it all the time.

•

All the time through December and January, Jane held down two jobs.

2. Fig. at all times; continuously. •

Your blood keeps flowing all the time.

•

That electric motor runs all the time.

3. Fig. repeatedly; habitually. •

She keeps a handkerchief in her hand all the time.

•

He whistles all the time. It drives me crazy.

* * *

{adv. phr.} 1. or[all the while] During the whole period; through the whole time. * /Mary went to college in her home town and lived at home all the while./ * /Most of us were surprised to hear that Mary and Tom had been engaged all year, but Sue said she knew it all the time./ 2. Without stopping; continuously * /Most traffic lights work all the time./ 3. Very often; many times. * /Ruth talks about her trip to Europe all the time, and her friends are tired of it./