A bit late meaning in English
Learn how to use A bit late correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
(You're a bit) late: (You're a bit) delayed, tardy, behind schedule
Examples
- "We're going to be late!"
- "I was just a bit late getting in this morning."
- "Philip : That doesn't explain why you were late, though."
- "Our office smells nice and we're never late!"
- "But I still don't know why you were late!"
- "I am sorry to be late."
- "You are late to work."
- "Maybe it's slightly late!"
- "Brian : Donna was two minutes late, sir!"
- "Donna : Hello Beth, sorry I'm a bit late – one of my appointments overran."
- "She comes to work late, and she looks - look at me Doris - dirty and a little bit overweight."
Exercise 1
Let's take a look at 2 very important terms from this email.
This expression describes being "punctual" or "arriving at the correct hour".
Bruno expects everyone to be for the meeting. (2 words)
This term describes the opposite of "punctual": to arrive after a scheduled time or date.
I arrived to the meeting, and consequently I did not get any bagels.
This expression describes being "punctual" or "arriving at the correct hour".
Bruno expects everyone to be for the meeting. (2 words)
This term describes the opposite of "punctual": to arrive after a scheduled time or date.
I arrived to the meeting, and consequently I did not get any bagels.
Let's take a look at 2 very important terms from this email.
This expression describes being "punctual" or "arriving at the correct hour".
Bruno expects everyone to be on time 1 for the meeting. (2 words)
This term describes the opposite of "punctual": to arrive after a scheduled time or date.
I arrived late 2 to the meeting, and consequently I did not get any bagels.
This expression describes being "punctual" or "arriving at the correct hour".
Bruno expects everyone to be on time 1 for the meeting. (2 words)
This term describes the opposite of "punctual": to arrive after a scheduled time or date.
I arrived late 2 to the meeting, and consequently I did not get any bagels.
1 on time: "To be on time (for a meeting)" is to arrive at the meeting in a punctual manner, or at the scheduled meeting time. Bruno instructs Brian to "make sure (he's) on time" for his appointment with Harold Warbuckle.
2 late: "(To arrive) late (to an appointment)" is to arrive after the scheduled time of the appointment, or after it was supposed to begin. Bruno informs Brian that he "will be running a bit late" for the meeting with Warbuckle. "To run late" or "to be running late" is to be behind schedule. For example: I am running very late because of the traffic downtown. Please start dinner without me.
Exercise 2
True or false? Philip wants to know why Edward was on time for work today.
True or false? Philip wants to know why Edward was on time for work today.
This statement not true.
This statement is false. Philip wants to know why Edward was "late" this morning. "Late" and "on time" are antonyms: to be on time is to be punctual or on schedule, while to be late is to be behind schedule.
Exercise 3
Why is Steffi Fünffinger calling Philip?
Why is Steffi Fünffinger calling Philip?
This is incorrect. If a meeting is "cancelled", then it will not take place. Steffi never mentions the meeting not happening.
This is the right answer. Steffi tells Philip "I am calling regarding our meeting at 4PM. I have some bad news... I will be early. I will arrive at 3:41 and 27 seconds". This means that she will arrive before their meeting is scheduled to begin. "To be early" is the opposite of "to be late".
This is incorrect. To be "on time" is to arrive at the planned or scheduled time. Philip and Steffi's meeting is due to start at 4PM, but Steffi is going to arrive at 3:41PM, which is "early", not "on time".
This is incorrect. To "postpone" a meeting is to move it to a later time or a later date. Example: "We have decided to postpone the picnic until tomorrow because it is raining today". Steffi does not talk about postponing her meeting with Philip.
This is incorrect. When Steffi tells Philip that she has "some bad news", he assumes that she is going to be late for their meeting. However, Steffi quickly reassures him that this is not the case, saying "actually, I will be early". "Late" is the opposite of "early".
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