own time, own target

English

Alternative forms

• OTOT

Etymology

Originally military slang.

Pronunciation

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): [ˌoːn˦ ˈtaɪm˦ ˌoːn˦ ˈtɑː˧.ɡet˦]

Phrase

own time, own target

1. (Singapore, slang) Without hurry or urgency, at one's own pace.
   • 2005 June 19, Hong Xinyi, The Sunday Times, quoted in Jack Tsen-Ta Lee, A Dictionary of Singlish and Singapore English, Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings Limited:

     Own time, own target. Army use: To perform a task at one’s own leisure or by using one’s discretion. Civilian use: Ditto. Example: This assignment doesn’t have an urgent deadline, so own time, own target.

   • 2023 December 12, Christine Tan, quoting Tedrick Tay, “Festival showcases card and digital games on social issues, including mental health”, in The Straits Times‎^[1], Singapore:

     […] it’s at your own time and own target. And you can have fun with your friends.