give someone time

verb

To grant an individual a sufficient amount of time to finish doing something; especially, to modify their viewpoint or attitude.

“They'll come around. Just give them time.”

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Meanings

verbgive someone time (third-person singular simple present gives someone time, present participle giving someone time, simple past gave someone time, past participle given someone time)

present singular third person gives someone time · participle present giving someone time · past gave someone time · participle past given someone time

  1. idiomaticTo grant an individual a sufficient amount of time to finish doing something; especially, to modify their viewpoint or attitude.

    They'll come around. Just give them time.

    2 more examples

    A: I'll get there. Just give me some time.   B: Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready.

    When you feed these animals their grain, you have to give them enough time to eat it before you turn them all out into the paddock.

Cite this entry
APA

give someone time. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20time

MLA

“give someone time.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20time. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “give someone time,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20time.

Source: give someone time on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.