Running Late: Meaning, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：behind schedule (Running Late)

Running Late 🔊

/ˈrʌnɪŋ leɪt/

phrase

Being not on time; arriving or starting later than planned or expected.

Running late person checking watch while leaving home

behind schedule 🔊

➕

/bɪˈhaɪnd ˈskɛdʒuːl/

phrase

The state of being later than the expected or planned time, often causing urgency or apology.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'run' (move swiftly) + 'late' (Old English 'læt', meaning slow or tardy).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a runner racing against a clock, but they are slow, so they are 'running late'.

📖 Example

I'm running late for the online class, so I'll join after a few minutes. 🔊 I'm running late for the online class, so I'll join after a few minutes.

🔗 Collocations

run late for a meeting – to be late for a scheduled meeting

running late with a project – to be behind schedule on completing a project

sorry for running late – an apology for being delayed

🔄 Synonyms

delayed (adj.) – slowed down or held up, causing lateness

behind time (phrase) – not on schedule; late

tardy (adj.) – slow or late in arriving or doing something

🚫 Antonyms

on time (phrase) – at the scheduled or expected time

punctual (adj.) – happening or doing something at the agreed time

early (adj.) – before the expected or usual time

🌱 Derivatives

lateness (n.) – the quality or state of being late

latecomer (n.) – a person who arrives late

tardiness (n.) – the quality of being slow or late

📖 Cultural Story

In modern English, 'running late' is widely used in professional and social contexts to politely indicate a delay, reflecting the fast-paced culture of punctuality.