Time, gentlemen, please
Meaning: Announcement that the pub is closing; drinking must stop.
The traditional closing announcement, usually called about 20 minutes after last orders. 'Time' means time to leave—finish your drinks and go. The full phrase 'Time, gentlemen, please' is formal; often just 'Time!' is called. It's one of the great rituals of British pub life.
Examples
- Time, gentlemen, please! 时间到了,各位先生Se acabó el tiempo, caballeros, por favorお時間です、皆さま시간입니다, 여러분!
- That's time—finish your drinks. 时间到了——喝完你们的酒Se acabó, terminad las bebidas時間だ、飲み干して시간이에요—술 다 마셔.
- They called time twenty minutes ago. 他们二十分钟前就喊了时间到Anunciaron el cierre hace veinte minutos20分前にタイムが告げられた20분 전에 타임이 선언됐어.
Pronunciation
/taɪm ˈdʒentəlmən pliːz/
Usage Guide
Context: pub, closing, tradition
Tone: authoritative, traditional
✓ Do Say
- Time, gentlemen, please时间到了,各位先生Se acabó el tiempo, caballerosお時間です、皆さま시간입니다, 여러분
- Time!时间到!¡Se acabó!時間だ!타임!
- That's time时间到了Se acabó時間だ시간이에요
Common Mistakes
- Time is after last orders—different stages of closing
- Modern pubs often just say 'time' or don't use the formal phrase
Origin & History
The phrase has Victorian origins, when publicans were required to announce closing time. The polite 'please' and formal 'gentlemen' reflect the expected decorum. Despite changing times, the phrase persists in traditional pubs.
Etymology: Victorian pub closing announcement
First recorded: Victorian era
Cultural Context
Era: Victorian to present
Generation: All ages, traditional
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: British pub tradition
Regional notes: Traditional British pub phrase.
Variations
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