test of time

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiom

   The challenge of remaining good, popular or useful over many years; something that passes it is still valued long after it began.

   Grammar: Almost always used as stand the test of time, with the before test.

   Patterns

   • stand the test of time
   • pass the test of time

   Her recipes have stood the test of time and are still used today.

   Not every new gadget will stand the test of time.

   The old bridge has withstood the test of time for two centuries.

Common combinations

stand the test of time

Good design stands the test of time.

withstand the test of time

The castle has withstood the test of time.

pass the test of time

Few pop songs pass the test of time.

fail the test of time

The fashion failed the test of time within a year.

survive the test of time

Their friendship survived the test of time.

Synonyms and how they differ

endure

Endure is a single verb meaning to last, while test of time pictures long survival as a trial.

last

Last is plain and neutral, whereas stand the test of time praises quality that explains the lasting.

stay the course

Stay the course is about persevering with a plan, not about an item proving durable.

be timeless

Timeless means never going out of style, while stand the test of time stresses actual survival in the past.

Opposites

Word family

test noun

a trial of quality or ability

timeless adjective

not affected by passing time

time-tested adjective

proved reliable over a long time

enduring adjective

lasting for a long time

Commonly confused: test of time or test of times?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “test of time”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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