Cool MateNo time to lose vs Rush
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No time to lose
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Rush
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most formal: RushMost common: Rush
| No time to lose | Rush | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ taɪm tə luːz//🇺🇸 //noʊ taɪm tə luz// | 🇬🇧 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | There is no time to waste. | to move quickly or hurry |
| Example | We have **no time to lose** if we want to catch the bus. | I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | act quickly, make a decision, take action, start moving, be urgent | headlong, madly, quickly, along, from, into, come rushing, go rushing, rush to somebody’s rescue, headlong, madly, quickly, along, from, into, come rushing, go rushing, rush to somebody’s rescue |
| Antonyms | - | slow, dawdle, linger |
| Common mistakes | Mixing up with 'no time to waste' while meaning the same., Using it in formal contexts where a more formal phrase is needed., Overusing in contexts that do not convey urgency. | Incorrectly using 'rush' as a noun without an article when needed., Using 'rushed' as a present tense instead of the correct form., Confusing 'rush' with 'push' in the context of moving quickly. |
| Usage notes | Used to express urgency or the need to act quickly. Common in casual conversation but can be used in informal writing. | Commonly used when talking about a need to hurry, like catching a bus. Avoid in very formal situations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: No time to lose vs Rush
What's the difference between No time to lose and Rush?
No time to lose: There is no time to waste. Rush: to move quickly or hurry
Which is more formal: No time to lose and Rush?
Rush is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: No time to lose and Rush?
Rush is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No time to lose: We have **no time to lose** if we want to catch the bus. Rush: I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left.
Can I use No time to lose and Rush interchangeably?
Not always. No time to lose and Rush are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.