or come up to time, verbal phr. (pugilistic).—To answer the call of ‘Time!’ after the thirty seconds’ rest between round and round; hence, by analogy, to be on the alert; to be ready.
1869. WHYTE-MELVILLE, M. or N., p. 11. The surprise staggered him like a blow. From such blows, however, we soon ‘COME TO TIME,’ willing to take any amount of similar punishment.
