B1idiomtimeIELTS-friendly
a thing of the past
USUK
something that no longer exists or happens
Very useful in IELTS answers about change. Usually with 'become' or 'be almost'.
In context
With mobile banking, queues at the bank are almost a thing of the past.
Writing letters by hand has become a thing of the past for most people.
Common mistake
Incorrect: Cash will soon be a thing of past.
Correct: Cash will soon be a thing of the past.
More idioms about time
- a blast from the pastsomething or someone that suddenly reminds you of an earlier time
- a long time comingif something is a long time coming, people have waited a long time for it
- a matter of timecertain to happen, although you do not know exactly when
- a race against timea situation where you must hurry to finish before time runs out
- a sign of the timessomething that shows how society is now, often in a bad way