behind time: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘behind time’ mean?
When someone is "behind time," it means they are late or running late for a scheduled event or appointment.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "run late" means to be behind schedule or to not arrive or finish something on time.
The idiom "lead time" refers to the amount of time needed to carry out a task or complete a project. It represents the period between the initiation and the completion of a particular activity or process.
The idiom "last minute" refers to the final moments before a deadline or event. It suggests that something is done or happens with very little time or notice remaining, often causing rushed or stressful situations.
The idiom "it's about time" is used to express that something should have happened sooner or that someone is overdue for a certain action or event.
The idiom "high time" means that something should have happened or should be done immediately, as it is already late or long overdue.
The idiom "have no time for" means to have a negative opinion or lack of interest in someone or something.
It suggests a lack of patience or willingness to engage, often due to disapproval or indifference.
The idiom "get late" is used to describe a situation when something is taking longer to happen, progress or finish than originally expected or anticipated.
The idiom "fashionably late" means to arrive intentionally late to an event or gathering, in order to make a statement or appear more important or desirable.
The idiom "fall behind" means to fail to keep up with someone or something, usually in terms of progress or a schedule.
An idiom, *double booked*, means when someone accidentally schedules two or more appointments or events at the same time.
Deciphering Tardy Connotations
Behind time is a commonly used idiom in English. It means to be late or delayed. The phrase is made up of the words "behind" and "time." When combined, they create a phrase that conveys the idea of being behind schedule.
The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but there are a few theories. One theory suggests that it originated from the world of transportation, particularly trains. In the early days of train travel, punctuality was crucial. If a train was running behind schedule, it would be said to be "behind time." Another theory proposes that it may have come from the concept of being "behind the clock," which originally described someone unreliable or lazy.
The idiom "behind time" is widely used in different contexts. For example, someone might say, "I'm sorry for being behind time, the traffic was terrible," to explain their lateness for a meeting. It can also be used to describe delayed progress on a project, like saying, "I'm still behind time on this project, I need to work faster."
This idiom is often used interchangeably with phrases like "running late" or "falling behind." While these phrases may have slightly different nuances, they all convey the idea of being delayed or not meeting time expectations.
Overall, the idiom "behind time" is widely understood by native English speakers. It adds color and nuance to our everyday language, allowing us to express lateness in a concise and evocative manner.
run late is a related idiom to behind time. It means to be delayed or behind schedule. It is often used interchangeably with behind time. For example, someone might say, "I apologize for running late, I got stuck in traffic," to explain their lateness. The phrase conveys the same idea of being behind schedule or delayed.
behind its time is another related idiom to behind time, but with a slightly different meaning. It refers to something that is outdated or not keeping up with current trends or advancements. For example, someone might say, "That old computer is really behind its time," to describe a computer that is not up to date. This idiom conveys the idea of something being behind in terms of progress or relevance.
The idioms "run late" and "behind its time" are related to the idiom "behind time" in that they all convey the idea of being delayed or not meeting expectations in terms of time. While they may have slightly different nuances, they are used interchangeably in many contexts. These idiomatic expressions enrich the English language, allowing us to express various aspects of lateness and delay in a concise and expressive manner.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "behind time" can be used in a sentence:
- John was running late for the meeting, so he arrived behind time.
- The train was delayed due to maintenance issues, causing it to arrive behind time.
- The project was behind time because of unforeseen complications.
More "Punctuality" idioms
