expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
timely; opportune; well-timed
A set phrase used prenominally to describe an action, remark, or event that occurs at exactly the right moment. Often carries a nuance of being appropriate or effective because of its timing.
His timely advice led to a solution of the problem.
時を得た一言で場の雰囲気が和んだ。
One timely comment softened the mood in the room.
Standard kanji spelling for this set phrase.
Kana spelling is sometimes used for clarity or in informal writing.
A set phrase composed of 時 (time) + を (object marker) + 得た (past tense of 得る 'to obtain'), literally 'having obtained the time'. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it has been used in literary Japanese to mean 'timely' or 'opportune'.