english
1
general::
late
arriving or happening after the time that was expected or arranged:
• Sorry I’m late. • The bus was late. • Spring seems to be very late this year.
not on time
not arriving or doing something at the time that was expected or arranged:
• He never hands his homework in on time. • If we don’t leave on time, we’ll miss the flight.
overdue
not done or happening by the expected time – used especially about payments that are late or library books that should have been returned:
• Your rent is three weeks overdue. • I had to pay a £3 fine on some overdue library books.
be behind with something
British English , be behind on something American English to be late in doing something that you have to do:
• I can’t come out because I’m behind with my English essay.
be held up
to be made late for a meeting, appointment etc by something that happens, especially by bad traffic:
• I was held up by a traffic jam.
be delayed
to be prevented from arriving, leaving, or happening at the expected time – often used about public transport:
• The flight was delayed by bad weather.
belated
given or done late – used especially about something that someone has forgotten or failed to do:
• a belated birthday card • I’m still hoping for a belated apology from him.
tardy
especially American English formal arriving or happening late:
• a habitually tardy person • a tardy decision
be in arrears
formal to have not made one or more regular payments at the time when you should:
• One in eight mortgage payers are in arrears.
Longman-Thesaurus
2
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with LATE, Also see AT THE LATEST; BETTER LATE THAN NEVER; JOHNNY-COME-LATELY; KEEP LATE HOURS; OF LATE; THE LATEST; TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE. Also see under LATER.
American Heritage Idioms
3
general::
adj. VERBS be, feel, seem I don't know what the time is, but it feels quite late. | make sb ADV. extremely, really, very | a bit, fairly, a little, quite, rather, relatively PREP. for I'm late for work. | in He took up music late in life. | with He was now three weeks late with his rent. PHRASES an hour, ten minutes, etc. late The train was 45 minutes late. | leave it a bit/rather/very late You've left it a bit late to start your homework, haven't you?
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
4
general::
adj.
advanced hour:
We saw the late show on TV.
adj.
overdue:
She turned in a late paper.
adj.
dead:
We met the late Mr. Jones last year.
adv.
tardy:
You are late.
Simple Definitions