He is so arrogant that he won't give me the time of day.
give the time of day
idiomTo acknowledge someone; to give someone respect or attention; to tip one's hat.
Origin
disputed originAccording to some, the expression originally literally referred to greeting someone with the obsolete greeting "good time of day", or other greeting appropriate to the time of day (e.g., good morning, good afternoon, good evening), and only later acquired an association with telling someone the time, along with its idiomatic sense.
Despite my repeated attempts to apologize, she refused to give me the time of day.
The celebrity walked past the crowd of reporters without giving any of them the time of day, clearly annoyed by their constant presence.
- 01
a cold day in July
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
- 02
a day late and a dollar short
Too late and too feeble to achieve the desired effect.
- 03
a week is a long time in politics
In politics, much change can occur in a short space of time.
- 04
a year and a day
A long time.
- 05
about time
Far past the desired time.
- 06
all one's born days
One's whole life.
- 07
any time now
Very soon.
- 08
any time soon
soon
Last updated April 17, 2026