What does "in high time" mean?

[Pupil]

Test No. incompl/inter-56 "High and Low", question 3

It's high ......... we left if we really want to be there on time.

(a) hour
(b) minute
(c) hour
(d) time

Test No. incompl/inter-56 "High and Low", answer 3

It's high time we left if we really want to be there on time.

Correct answer: (d) time

Your answer was: n/a
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Hi! What does it mean?
"in high time"
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the more we learn
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[Alan]

Here it means the time has definitely come when we must go.
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[Pivosz]

Hi.
It's high time we left if we really want to be on time.
It's from test No. incompl/inter-56 "High and Low", question 3.
Could you tell me why there is: It's high time we left; and not: It's high time we leave? Why is there Simple past tense used?
Thanx in advance.

[Yankee]

Hi pivosz

"It's (high) time we left/went/etc." is a very standard expression and I'd say this form of the verb (left/went/etc.) is an example of the subjunctive. It basically means "we should go" / "we should leave"/ etc.

It only looks like the past tense, but it actually refers to the future.

It's similar to what you see in some "IF-sentences":
"If we left at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning, we would miss most of the rush hour traffic." The word "left" in this sentence also refers to the future.

Amy

[Alan]

Hi pivosz,

Just to add to what Amy has said, let me refer you to some material on the subjunctive that I've written for the site: Subjunctive

Alan
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