A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

give someone the time • give someone the time of
day
give someone the time —
1
. (also: give someone time) be patient
with smb. in expectation of a change or achievement: Parents
don’t have to solve the problems for him — just give him the
time and attention he needs to grow. 2. (sl., euph.) have sex
with a person: I was personally acquainted with at least two
girls he gave the time to.
give someone the time of day —(usually negat.) exchange a
greeting or casual remark with a person: Lippy wouldn’t have
given Danny the time of day … not if he’d have come to him
on bended knees.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase know the time of day—(coll.) be perceptive and shrewd;
have good judgment: David is a trainer who knows the time of
day — he is one of the best in the profession. Cf.: not know
what time it is —(coll.) be not very smart or not informed on the
situation: From the kind of things I’ve seen him do, he doesn’t
know what time it is. He’s dangerous.
give someone time • give someone time out
give someone time —(also: give someone the time) be patient
with smb. in expectation of a change or achievement: “He
won’t make up his mind about me.” “Well,” Milly smiled,
“give him time.”
give someone time out—
1
. allow smb. to remain away from
work, study, etc. for a period of time: A lot of companies will
– 145 –
give someone time

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give time out to their staff to donate blood. 2. make a child
stand in the corner as a form of punishment: Respond first
with a clear warning; if that doesn’t take care of the problem,
you can give a time-out to a child.