Difference between 'on time' and 'about time'

[drashti]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #214 "What comes next (the letter)", question 10

I had to pay for you. So isn't it .........?

(a) on time you paid me back
(b) in time you paid me back
(c) about time you paid me back
(d) over time you paid me back

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #214 "What comes next (the letter)", answer 10

I had to pay for you. So isn't it about time you paid me back?

Correct answer: (c) about time you paid me back

Your answer was: incorrect
I had to pay for you. So isn't it on time you paid me back?
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Dear teacher,

What's the difference between 'on time' and 'about time'?

drashti

[Conchita]

On time means 'at the right time': the bus arrived on time.

It also means 'punctual': you're always on time.

'It's about time (or 'it's high time') you paid me back' means 'you should have paid me long ago'.

[jothi]

Hi teacher
I understanded the meaning of on time but i haven't understood the meaning of about time yet.
do you mean about time means long time in the past?
please help me.
thanks
sedigheh

[Alan]

Hi,

The sense of 'about' in this context is that the action is late or overdue. In this sentence: It's about time you found a job and stopped sleeping all day. This means the time has come when you must find a job - you have not tried very hard but you really must do something now.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a stately home owner